ANC to outline candidate criteria ahead of 2026 government elections

THE African National Congress's (ANC) electoral committee, chaired by former President Kgalema Motlanthe, will hold a media briefing on preparations for the 2026 local government elections.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

The briefing will also outline the criteria and required qualifications for ANC candidates, including mayors, speakers and chief whips.

The committee will announce the provincial list committees that will oversee candidate selection in all provinces. The briefing will take place at the ANC headquarters, Chief Albert Luthuli House, in Johannesburg, Gauteng, at 11 a.m.

“The briefing will outline the criteria for the selection of ANC candidates for the 2026 local government elections, including the qualifications and skills required for mayoral, speaker and chief whip candidates,’ the statement added.

According to the party, the electoral committee will also announce the provincial list committees, which will coordinate and oversee candidate selection processes across all provinces.

This comes as the race for next year’s local government elections heats up, including Johannesburg's mayoralty.