What is a Political Party?
A political party is an organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country’s elections.
Political Party Registration In South Africa
Any party that wants to participate in an election must register with the IEC.
The law provides four options and levels for registering a political party. The following
options are available:
i. A National level registration – this would allow a registered political party to
contest any election in the country. This would include elections for the national
assembly, provincial legislatures, district, metropolitan, and local councils anywhere
in the Republic.
ii. Provincial level registration – this would allow a registered political party to
contest any election within a particular province. This would include elections for the
provincial legislature, district, metropolitan, and local councils in that particular
province.
iii. A District level registration – this would allow a registered political party to
contest any elections within a particular district municipality and all local
municipalities in the district.
iv. A Metropolitan-level registration – this would allow a registered political party to
contest any election in a particular metropolitan municipality.
NB: Registration does not mean that a party will automatically qualify to contest an
election. A registered political party must still meet the requirements for contesting an
election, i.e. both the proportional representative (party list) and ward elections.
To find out how to contest a municipal election as a political party or an individual
candidate, please see How to Contest Municipal Elections.
The name, abbreviation, and logo as chosen and registered will appear on the ballot paper
for the election, the party elects to contest.
National level registration
To register at the National level, you must submit:
An application for registration (Annexure 1 of the Regulations), fully completed;
The name (not more than sixty (60) letters) of the party;
The abbreviated name, if any, (not more than eight (8) letters) of the party;
A High-resolution party logo or symbol in color, can be submitted separately
as a . PNG or . JPG file;
A copy of the party’s constitution;
A Deed of Foundation signed by 1,000 registered voters who support the
founding of the party (see Annexure 6 of the Regulations);
R5 000 registration fee; and
A hard copy of the Government Gazette in which your notice appears
(see Annexure 2 of the Regulations).
Provincial level registration
To register at the Provincial level, you must submit:
An application for registration (Annexure 1 of the Regulations), fully completed;
The name (not more than sixty (60) letters) of the party;
The abbreviated name, if any, (not more than eight (8) letters) of the party;
A High-resolution party logo or symbol in color, can be submitted separately
as a . PNG or . JPG file;
A copy of the party’s constitution;
A Deed of Foundation signed by 500 registered voters who support the founding
of the party (see Annexure 6 of the Regulations);
R3 000 registration fee; and
A hard copy of the Government Gazette in which your notice appears
(see Annexure 2 of the Regulations).
Metropolitan or District level registration
To register at the Metropolitan or District level, you must submit:
An application for registration (Annexure 1 of the Regulations), fully completed;
The name (not more than sixty (60) letters) of the party;
The abbreviated name, if any, (not more than eight (8) letters) of the party;
A High-resolution party logo or symbol in color, can be submitted separately
as a . PNG or . JPG file;
A copy of the party’s constitution;
A Deed of Foundation signed by 300 registered voters who support the founding
of the party (see Annexure 6 of the Regulations);
R2 000 registration fee; and
A party applying for registration at Metropolitan or District level must place a Notice
in a local newspaper (Annexure 2 of the Regulations) and must submit proof of
such publication (hard copy of the newspaper page).
All applications to register a party must be submitted to the Electoral Commission’s offices
in Centurion at the following address:
Election House, Riverside Office Park, 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Die Hoewes, Centurion,
0157 or Private Bag X112, Centurion 0046 or use email address below:
partyregistrationandlogos@elections.org.za
What is the good political party in South Africa?
Good (stylised as GOOD) is a South African political party that was formed in December 2018.
It is led by its founder Patricia de Lille, current Minister of Tourism and former mayor of Cape Town.