34 new political parties registered since 2024 elections - IEC

JOHANNESBURG - The Electoral Commission (IEC) has registered 34 new political parties after last year's national and provincial elections. 

This brings the total number of registered political parties to 472. 

Although most of these organisations are eligible to contest national elections, only 18 of them currently hold seats in Parliament.

Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday, IEC chief electoral officer, Sy Mamabolo, highlighted the growing number of parties seeking to participate in future elections.

"Thirteen of the new parties were registered in the period between July 2025 and today. Currently, the total number of registered political parties is 472. Of these, 287 are registered on a national level, while the balance of 185 are either registered provincially or on the district or metro municipal level."