Pretoria: The Electoral Commission is hosting a series of orientation workshops across all nine provinces to assist registered political parties and prospective independent candidates in using the Online Candidate Nomination System (OCNS) ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections in November.
According to South African Government News Agency, the workshops commenced on Tuesday, 7 July, in Limpopo. These nationwide sessions aim to equip registered political parties and prospective independent candidates with the practical knowledge required to navigate the OCNS effectively. The workshops are designed to teach participants how to input candidate and supporter information, make electronic payments for election deposits, and receive early feedback on the voter registration status of candidates and supporters before the official nomination period opens.
The Electoral Commission has invited members of the media to the Gauteng session, where the functionality of the OCNS will be demonstrated. This session will also provide guidance on the candidate nomination process, helping to prevent last-minute challenges.
The OCNS, operational since 21 June 2026, is an official platform managed by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). It allows registered political parties and prospective independent candidates to prepare in advance for the nomination process by capturing and managing candidate lists, uploading supporting documentation, and processing payments for elections. The system also offers reporting tools to monitor the progress of nominations, ensuring transparency and efficiency throughout the nomination process.