By Nokwanda Ncwane
To support a fair and orderly election campaign ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, the eThekwini Municipality Council has approved conditions governing the placement of election and campaign posters across the city.
The measures provide political parties and candidates with guidelines for election-related advertising while ensuring public spaces are managed responsibly and municipal regulations are followed.
According to the eThekwini Municipality, Council approved a limited waiver of certain provisions of the eThekwini Municipality Outdoor Advertising Bylaw, 2018, which will apply only to the Local Government Elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.
Under the approved conditions, each political party or candidate may display a maximum of 800 standard A1-sized posters per ward.
“Posters may only be placed on municipal electricity light poles, while designated routes, including the Ruth First Highway/M4 Northern Freeway, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Freeway/M4 Southern Freeway and Higginson Highway, will be open for election-related advertising. Designated beach areas will also be available for election advertising through flying banners only, limited to the three weeks before election day,” the municipality said.
Election-related wall murals will also be permitted, subject to municipal requirements and prior approval.
All applications for election advertising must be submitted to the Municipality’s General Advertising Branch for assessment and compliance approval.
Political parties and candidates must remove all election-related advertising within 30 days after the election. If they fail to do so, the Municipality will remove the material and recover the costs from the responsible party or candidate.
Applications must be accompanied by a refundable deposit of R200 per political party or candidate for each ward where posters will be displayed.
The waiver applies only to the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) held its Gauteng leg of the political party and independent candidate training in preparation for the upcoming local elections.
The Commission said the training session provided participants with valuable guidance on contesting the elections, as well as the submission of candidates’ and supporters’ lists, helping to ensure they are well prepared for the electoral process.
