The Independent National Elections Authority has disclosed preliminary figures regarding the withdrawal of candidacy files for municipal and provincial popular councils elections. This significant release of information provides an initial overview of the engagement in the lead-up to the upcoming electoral cycle. The Authority specified that the data cutoff for these preliminary figures was September 23, 2026, at 11:30 AM, offering a precise snapshot of the activity up to that point. These elections, which are scheduled to take place on November 28, 2026, are key for local governance. The information released pertains specifically to the process of collective declaration of candidacy for these vital local government bodies, encompassing both municipal and provincial levels.
Municipal Council Figures Detailed
For municipal popular councils, the Independent National Elections Authority reported that a substantial 12,881 collective declaration files for candidacy were withdrawn and distributed to prospective candidates and political entities. These municipal files were distributed across 1,541 municipalities, indicating widespread participation across local administrative divisions. Of the total municipal files withdrawn, a significant majority, 12,557, were under the sponsorship of a political party. These party-sponsored municipal files were further distributed among 34 distinct political parties, noting the diverse political landscape involved in the municipal elections. Additionally, 20 municipal files were withdrawn under the sponsorship of a political party alliance, showcasing instances of coalition efforts. For independent lists, 304 municipal files were withdrawn, offering an avenue for non-party affiliated candidates. The Authority stated that these independent municipal lists were distributed across 214 municipalities, demonstrating a notable presence of independent hopefuls in various local areas. In total, 2,973,261 individual signature forms were withdrawn for municipal popular councils, reflecting the extensive groundwork required for candidates to meet eligibility criteria and garner public support. This large number shows the strong administrative process involved in preparing for these elections.
Provincial Council Statistics
For provincial popular councils, 672 collective declaration files for candidacy were withdrawn, according to the Independent National Elections Authority. These provincial files were distributed across 69 provinces, indicating a full geographical reach for the provincial elections. Of the total provincial files, 644 were submitted under the sponsorship of a political party, showing the central role of political organizations at this level of governance. These party-sponsored provincial files were distributed among 31 distinct political parties, showing a broad spectrum of political engagement across the provinces. Additionally, three provincial files were withdrawn under the sponsorship of a political party alliance, pointing to limited but present collaborative efforts among political groups for provincial representation. Independent lists accounted for 25 provincial files, providing an alternative for candidates not affiliated with established parties. These independent provincial lists were distributed across 21 provinces, suggesting that independent candidacies are present in a significant number of provincial contests. The Authority also reported that a total of 536,389 individual signature forms were withdrawn for provincial popular councils, reflecting the overall engagement in the candidacy process for these important local government bodies and the scale of effort involved in securing candidacies.
Context and Next Steps
For municipal councils, five collective declaration files were officially deposited under the sponsorship of a political party, the Independent National Elections Authority announced. These five deposited files represent an initial step beyond the withdrawal phase, signifying the formal submission of candidacies. This number, while a small fraction of the total files withdrawn, marks the beginning of the official candidacy registration process. This activity includes the broader withdrawal and distribution of candidacy documents for the upcoming elections, with the initial deposits paving the way for the full roster of candidates to be finalized. The Authority's ongoing monitoring and disclosure of these figures are key for transparency and for keeping the public informed about the progress of the electoral preparations as the November 28, 2026 election date approaches.