LGE 2026: Zille challenges parties over single-name proportional representation list - EWN

The Democratic Alliance's Helen Zille says some political parties are undermining voters' right to know who could represent them in council by submitting just one candidate on their proportional representation (PR) lists ahead of the upcoming municipal elections.

But election management expert Terry Tselane disputes the argument, saying the law allows parties to supplement their lists after the election results are announced.

The dispute centres on parties including ActionSA, the EFF, the MK Party and GOOD, which have submitted single-name PR lists in some municipalities despite potentially winning multiple PR seats.

Zille, the DA’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate, says the practice raises questions about the democratic process and the intention of amendments to the Municipal Structures Act.

Tselane, the Executive Chairman of the Institute of Election Management Services in Africa, says the legislation provides for parties to add candidates if they win more seats than they initially listed.

The disagreement comes as the DA prepares to approach the courts over its interpretation of the law.