PUB2601 Assignment 2 Semester 2 2026 – Due September 2026

PUB2601 Assignment 2 Semester 2 2026 – Due September 2026
SEMESTER 2 – 2026
Topic:
Critically discuss the electoral process, the purpose of elections and the role and
functions of political parties in the state. In your discussion, highlight how elections
promote service delivery at local government level.
Scenario: Local Government Elections – 4 November 2026
Student Name: [Insert Full Name]
Student Number: [Insert Student Number]
Module Code: PUB2601
Due Date: [Insert Due Date]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ………………………………………………………………….. 3
2. The Electoral Process in South Africa ……………………………………… 3
2.1 Overview of the Local Government Electoral System …………………… 3
2.2 Key Stages in the Electoral Process ………………………………….. 3
3. The Purpose of Elections …………………………………………………….. 3
4. The Role and Functions of Political Parties in the State …………………. 4
5. How Elections Promote Service Delivery at Local Government Level ………. 4
6. Conclusion …………………………………………………………………….. 5
7. List of Sources ………………………………………………………………. 5
1. Introduction
South Africa is preparing for Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026
amid declining voter turnout, rising dissatisfaction with service delivery, and
concerns about the accountability of local councillors. Local government is the
sphere closest to communities and is responsible for basic services such as water,
electricity, sanitation and refuse removal. Elections remain the primary democratic
mechanism through which citizens choose their representatives and hold them
accountable. This essay critically discusses the electoral process, the purpose of
elections, and the role and functions of political parties in the state, with particular
focus on how elections promote service delivery at the local government level
(University of South Africa [Unisa], 2018).
2. The Electoral Process in South Africa
2.1 Overview of the Local Government Electoral System
Elections are a method of selecting persons to fill positions in government (Unisa,
2018). In South Africa, all elections are managed by the Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC), established under the Electoral Commission Act 51 of 1996.
The Constitution requires the IEC to ensure free and fair elections, declare results,
and maintain the voters’ roll (Republic of South Africa [RSA], 1996). Local
government elections use a mixed system combining ward (constituency-based)
elections and proportional representation (PR). Roughly half the seats in
metropolitan and local councils are filled by ward councillors elected by residents of
specific wards, while the other half are allocated to parties according to their share
of the PR vote. This system balances local accountability with broader party
representation (Electoral Commission of South Africa [IEC], 2026).
2.2 Key Stages in the Electoral Process
The 2026 Local Government Elections follow a formal timetable. Key stages
include voter registration and inspection of the provisional voters’ roll, nomination of
candidates by political parties and independent candidates, payment of prescribed
deposits, campaigning under an Electoral Code of Conduct, voting on election day,
counting of ballots, and the declaration of results by the IEC (IEC, 2026). Only
South African citizens aged 18 years or older whose names appear on the certified
voters’ roll may vote, and they may cast their ballots only at the voting station
where they are registered. Independent candidates may contest ward seats, while
only registered parties may contest PR seats.
3. The Purpose of Elections
It is essential in a democracy that the public take part in government affairs that
concern them. In terms of social contract philosophy, members of society should be
involved in electing those who will run public affairs (Unisa, 2018). Moyo (1992:7–9)
identifies several key purposes of elections: they promote democracy; they provide
an opportunity for citizens to periodically elect (and remove) a government; they
formalise popular participation in government processes; they compensate for
inequalities of power distribution by giving each eligible voter an equal vote; and
they enable citizens, through their representatives, to have a say in the public
policies that affect their lives and wellbeing.
Essentially, elections establish and reinforce the legitimacy of the ruling
government. With a popular mandate, government can exercise authority with the
assurance that citizens will respect its legislation and policies. In a competitive
multi-party system, elections also serve as a continuous check on service delivery
performance, because a ruling party will strive to be efficient in order to be
re-elected by satisfied voters (Unisa, 2018).
4. The Role and Functions of Political Parties in the State
Political parties are organised institutions that seek to win public office and
authoritatively allocate state resources. Shively (1995:195) defines a political party
as a group of officials or would-be officials linked with a sizeable group of citizens
into an organisation whose chief object is to ensure that its officials attain or retain
power (Unisa, 2018). Unlike interest groups that seek to influence government from
outside, parties aim to become the government itself. Political parties are the
vehicle for efficient and democratic government and help maintain the social
contract tradition. Their main functions include the following (Unisa, 2018):
Participation: Through campaigns and other activities, parties (especially
opposition parties) encourage public participation in politics and make citizens
aware of the electoral choices available to them. Leadership recruitment: Parties
select and promote leaders who contest elections and, if successful, occupy
positions of authority at national, provincial and local levels. Political identity:
Parties offer names, values and principles with which supporters identify, helping
voters make structured choices. Control and discipline: Parties require certain
standards of behaviour from members and elected representatives, which can curb
political violence and ensure that councillors remain responsive to party policy on
service delivery.
5. How Elections Promote Service Delivery at Local Government Level
Elections promote service delivery at local government level primarily through
electoral accountability. Because local government is closest to citizens, failures in
water, electricity, sanitation or refuse collection are immediately visible. Competitive
multi-party elections create strong incentives for both ruling and opposition parties
to prioritise service delivery.
First, the threat of electoral punishment encourages incumbents to improve
performance. A party that fails to address service delivery crises risks losing
support at the next election. This pressure acts as a continuous check on how
government renders services (Unisa, 2018). In several metropolitan municipalities,
opposition parties have successfully used service delivery failures as a campaign
theme, forcing incumbents to respond with targeted interventions. Second,
elections allow voters to reward parties and candidates with a credible record of
improvement. Measurable gains in refuse collection, water provision or reduced
electricity outages can translate into continued electoral support.
Third, the mixed ward and PR system strengthens accountability. Ward councillors
are directly elected by residents of a specific geographic area and can be held
personally accountable for local failures, while PR seats enable smaller parties to
place service delivery issues on the council agenda. Fourth, election campaigns
force parties to articulate concrete plans for improving local services in their
manifestos. These commitments then become benchmarks against which citizens
and the media can measure performance after the election.
The link between elections and improved service delivery is not automatic.
Declining voter turnout weakens accountability, as abstention reduces pressure on
elected representatives. Coalition governments, which have become more common
at local level, can sometimes produce instability that undermines consistent
delivery. Despite these challenges, free and fair competitive elections remain the
most important institutional mechanism available to citizens for promoting
responsive and accountable local government.
6. Conclusion
The electoral process in South Africa, managed by the Independent Electoral
Commission, provides a structured and inclusive framework for selecting local
government representatives. Elections promote democracy, confer legitimacy on
government, equalise political voice, and enable citizens to influence public policy
through their representatives. Political parties facilitate participation, recruit leaders,
provide political identity, and exercise internal discipline. At the local government
level, competitive elections promote service delivery mainly through the mechanism
of electoral accountability: parties and councillors who fail to deliver basic services
risk electoral punishment, while those who improve services can be rewarded.
Although declining turnout and coalition instability pose challenges, the Local
Government Elections of 4 November 2026 remain a critical opportunity for citizens
to demand greater responsiveness and improved service delivery from their local
representatives.
7. List of Sources
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). 2026. How to contest municipal elections. Available at:
https://www.elections.org.za (Accessed: 8 September 2026).
Moyo, J.N. 1992. Voting for democracy: Electoral politics in Zimbabwe. Harare: University of
Zimbabwe Publications.
Republic of South Africa (RSA). 1996. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. Pretoria:
Government Printer.
Shively, W.P. 1995. Power and choice: An introduction to political science. 4th edition. New York:
McGraw-Hill.
University of South Africa (Unisa). 2018. PUB2601: Rights and Obligations in Public Administration.
Study Guide 1. Pretoria: University of South Africa.