{"id":3218,"date":"2026-07-22T10:56:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T08:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/?page_id=3218"},"modified":"2026-09-09T14:06:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T12:06:13","slug":"comites-elections-2026-all-the-information","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/en\/servizi-consolari-e-visti\/servizi-per-il-cittadino-italiano\/servizi-elettorali\/comites-elections-2026-all-the-information\/","title":{"rendered":"COMITES ELECTIONS 2026 &#8211; ALL THE INFORMATION"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">By <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Decreto-Consolare-2026-Elezioni-COMITES.pdf\">Consular Decree dated 3 September 2026<\/a><\/strong>, elections have been officially called for the renewal of the <strong>Committee of Italians Abroad (COMITES) of Cape Town<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The COMITES will consist of <strong>12 elected members<\/strong> and will remain in office for five years.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The elections will take place on <strong>4 December 2026<\/strong>. This date corresponds to the final deadline by which the envelope containing the completed ballot paper must reach the Consulate of Italy in Cape Town.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>What is the COMITES?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The COMITES is an elected representative body for Italians living abroad and acts as an official channel of dialogue between the Italian community and the diplomatic and consular authorities.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In cooperation with the Consulate, the COMITES identifies the needs of the Italian community and promotes initiatives relating to social welfare, culture, education, professional development, youth, equal opportunities, integration and the preservation of Italian history and traditions abroad.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Key dates<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><strong>3 September 2026:<\/strong> elections officially called;<\/li>\n<li><strong>23 September\u20133 October 2026:<\/strong> submission of lists of candidates;<\/li>\n<li><strong>4 November 2026:<\/strong> deadline to apply for inclusion in the electoral register;<\/li>\n<li><strong>4 December 2026:<\/strong> final deadline for ballot papers to reach the Consulate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>VOTING<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Who may vote?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Italian citizens may vote if they:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>are entitled to exercise active voting rights under Italian law;<\/li>\n<li>are registered with AIRE as a resident;<\/li>\n<li>have been registered with AIRE as a resident in the Cape Town consular district for at least six months on the date of the elections;<\/li>\n<li>have applied for inclusion in the electoral register for the 2026 COMITES elections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Registration is required<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Voting takes place by post. However, unlike Italian parliamentary elections and referendums, the electoral package is sent <strong>only to voters who expressly apply for inclusion in the COMITES electoral register<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">To receive the electoral package, eligible voters must submit their application form <strong>no later than 4 November 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The application <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Allegato-1-Modello-opzione-inversa.pdf\">form<\/a> <\/strong>may be submitted:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><strong>in person<\/strong> at the Consulate, without an appointment during public opening hours, together with a valid identity document;<\/li>\n<li><strong>by ordinary email <\/strong><a href=\"mailto:consolato.capetown@esteri.it\"><strong>consolato.capetown@esteri.it<\/strong><\/a> <strong>or certified email (PEC) <\/strong><a href=\"mailto:con.capetown@cert.esteri.it\"><strong>con.capetown@cert.esteri.it<\/strong><\/a>, enclosing a copy of a valid identity document bearing the holder\u2019s signature.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Voters are strongly advised to ensure that their residential address registered with AIRE is correct and up to date, as the electoral material will be sent to that address.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>How does postal voting work?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Consulate will send the electoral package to all voters duly included in the electoral register. The package will contain the ballot paper, electoral certificate, envelopes and instructions on how to vote and return the ballot.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Each voter may:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>vote for one electoral list;<\/li>\n<li>express up to <strong>four preferences<\/strong> for candidates belonging to that list.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The completed ballot paper must be returned in accordance with the instructions included in the package and must reach the Consulate <strong>by 4 December 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>CANDIDATES AND ELECTORAL LISTS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Submission period<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Electoral lists of candidates may be formally submitted to the Consular Electoral Office during office hours from <strong>23 September to 3 October 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The collection of signatures, acceptance of candidacies and authentication of the relevant signatures may begin immediately.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Each list must:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>bear its own name and electoral symbol;<\/li>\n<li>include no fewer than <strong>12<\/strong> and no more than <strong>16 candidates<\/strong>;<\/li>\n<li>be supported by at least <strong>100 eligible voters<\/strong> whose signatures have been authenticated;<\/li>\n<li>be submitted by one of its candidates or by one of its signatories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The person submitting the list must provide an address for the purpose of receiving any subsequent official notification.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>Documents required<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Each list must be accompanied by:<\/p>\n<ol style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>the <a href=\"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cape-Town-dichiarazione_di_presentazione_lista_candidati-ATTO-PRINCIPALE-1.doc\"><strong>main list submission form<\/strong><\/a>, containing the electoral symbol and the details of all candidates;<\/li>\n<li>the signed and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cape-Town-Modulo-accettazione-candidatura-1.docx\">authenticated declaration of acceptance of candidacy<\/a><\/strong> from each candidate;<\/li>\n<li>certificates confirming that the signatories are registered voters within the consular district;<\/li>\n<li>at least 100 authenticated signatures from eligible voters;<\/li>\n<li>the designation of one principal and one alternate list representative for the Constituency Electoral Committee (CEC).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Separate signature sheets may be used, provided that each sheet displays the electoral symbol and the names of all candidates.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Certificates confirming registration in the electoral lists may be requested from the Consulate from <strong>18 September 2026<\/strong> and will be issued on the basis of the records held by the Consular Office.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Who may sign in support of a list?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Signatories must:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>be eligible voters in the Cape Town consular district (Eastern, Western and Northern Cape provinces);<\/li>\n<li>have been resident in the district for at least six months;<\/li>\n<li>not be candidates in the elections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Each voter may sign in support of <strong>one list only<\/strong>. A candidate may not sign in support of a list. For each signatory, the documentation must indicate their full name, place and date of birth.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Authentication of signatures<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Signatures supporting an electoral list must be affixed in the presence of an authorized official and authenticated by consular officer.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Honorary Consuls and Honorary Vice Consuls are not authorized to authenticate these signatures.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Authentication is free of charge. Each signatory must produce a valid photographic identity document issued by an Italian or foreign public authority.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Representatives of lists under formation are encouraged to contact the Consulate as soon as possible to arrange the collection and authentication of signatures.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><strong>ELIGIBILITY TO STAND AS A CANDIDATE<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Candidates must:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>be Italian citizens;<\/li>\n<li>reside within the Cape Town consular district;<\/li>\n<li>be registered in the relevant electoral records;<\/li>\n<li>be at least 18 years old on 4 December 2026;<\/li>\n<li>meet the requirements for standing in Italian local administrative elections;<\/li>\n<li>stand in one list and in one consular district only;<\/li>\n<li>sign an authenticated declaration accepting their candidacy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Under the applicable legislation, certain categories are ineligible, including Italian State employees serving abroad, locally contracted staff of Italian State administrations, holders of certain institutional positions and their paid assistants, and persons who have already served two consecutive terms on the same COMITES.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Prospective candidates should consult the complete eligibility requirements and contact the Consulate before submitting their candidacy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>FURTHER INFORMATION AND FORMS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The following documents are available for download:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Application for inclusion in the electoral register;<\/li>\n<li>Main electoral-list submission form;<\/li>\n<li>Separate signature sheet;<\/li>\n<li>Declaration of acceptance of candidacy;<\/li>\n<li>Designation of principal and alternate list representatives;<\/li>\n<li>Privacy notice for the 2026 COMITES elections;<\/li>\n<li>Consular Decree calling the elections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">For further information, please contact the Consulate of Italy in Cape Town at:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Email: <a href=\"mailto:consolato.capetown@esteri.it\"><strong>consolato.capetown@esteri.it<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Telephone: <strong>+27 (0)21 487 3900<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/it\/servizi-consolari-e-visti\/servizi-per-il-cittadino-italiano\/servizi-elettorali\/elezioni-dei-comites-2026\/documenti-e-modulistica\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Documents and Forms<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Consular Decree dated 3 September 2026, elections have been officially called for the renewal of the Committee of Italians Abroad (COMITES) of Cape Town. The COMITES will consist of 12 elected members and will remain in office for five years. The elections will take place on 4 December 2026. This date corresponds to the [&hellip;]","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":197,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3218","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3218"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3218\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3227,"href":"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3218\/revisions\/3227"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/conscapetown.esteri.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}