eThekwini Municipality weighs R6 million MOU with IEC for upcoming elections

The eThekwini Municipality council will deliberate on whether it should enter into a R6 million memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

The possibility of entering into an MOU with the IEC KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Office for the 2026 local government elections (LGE) was brought up in a report at an Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting on Tuesday.

South African municipalities will be participating in the 2026 LGE to commence a new five-year term of office for the municipal councils. A date for the 2026 elections has not yet been made public.

In line with best practice, informed by constitutional requirements and the provisions of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, 1998, collaboration is encouraged between the organs of state and the IEC to support and facilitate the election process effectively.

According to the municipality, it has played a pivotal role over the years in ensuring that the election process is conducted successfully.

It explained that its involvement remains crucial as the IEC prepares for the 2026 LGE, adding that the MOU will provide clarity on roles and responsibilities.

According to a municipal report, a budget provision of R6 million has been made, with R2 million budgeted for the 2025/26 financial year and the remaining R4 million to be accommodated in the 2026/27 budget process.

The budget covers staffing costs, printing requirements, fleet requirements, infrastructure maintenance, voter registration process, voter education, venue hire, policing of high-risk areas, and other incidental election-related expenses.

The report stated that the municipality intends to facilitate the hosting of the elections transparently and peacefully.

The draft MOU has been prepared, with the roles of the respective parties outlined as reflected in the table below:

eThekwini Municipality obligations: 

1. Appointing a Municipal Electoral Officer within 30 days of signing the MOU. 
2. Managing all result operation centres procurement processes. 
3. Providing Council with updates on election readiness. 

The roles of the IEC office are: 

• Providing three people for the Municipal Electoral role. 
• Providing office accommodation or regional hubs for IEC operations. 
• Availing decentralised storage facilities for election material. 
• Deploying metro police to support the SAPS in high-risk voting stations. 
• Providing city fleet vehicles for the distribution of election material. 
• Collaborating in civic education and outreach. 
• Supporting infrastructure improvements at voting stations when required. 
• Providing access to the municipal address database. 

The R2 million for the 2025/26 financial year is allocated as follows:

• Logistical support - vehicle R800,000. 
• Logistical support - printing R100,000. 
• Infrastructure maintenance repairs - R500,000. 
• Staffing support on voter education, voter registration, and material management (overtime) -  R600,000. 

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