How Icasa’s new rules will affect political broadcasts

POLITICAL parties and independent candidates contesting the 2026 local government elections could have to do with less time to canvass for votes through political election broadcasts (PEBs) played on television and radio stations.

- LOYISO SIDIMBA

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is proposing a reduction in the length of political election broadcasts from 50 seconds to 40 seconds.

Icasa has released its draft amendments to the Municipal Party Elections Broadcasts and Political Advertisements Regulations 2026, inviting interested parties to make written representations by no later than the close of business on January 9 next year.

In terms of the draft regulations, political election broadcasts must not exceed 40 seconds in duration, and Icasa explained that the reduction has been justified by financial implications on broadcasting service licensees (BSLs), which are television and radio stations required by law to broadcast during the election period.