South Africans will be going to the poles on Wednesday, the 4th November 2026.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the date, at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni, on Thursday.
Ramaphosa led an engagement with the Executive Mayors of Metropolitan Municipalities, as part of the Extended President’s Coordinating Council (PCC) Meeting, around interventions to the country’s water and sanitation challenges.
Ramaphosa said “I have, therefore, in terms of section 159 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, read together with section 24(1) of the Local Government; Municipal Structures Act, 1998 (“the Municipal Structures Act”), and in consultation with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), set the date of Wednesday, 04 November 2026 as the date for the 2026 Local Government Elections.”
The Electoral Commission of South Africa said it welcomes the announcement.
Sy Mamabolo, Chief Electoral Officer, said “the announcement of the election date provides clarity for all role players and certainty of planning for the Electoral Commission as we continue our work to deliver free and fair municipal elections.”
He also said prospective voters are invited to make use of the Commission’s online registration platform available at registertovote.elections.org.za by visiting the Electoral Commission website on a desktop computer or mobile phone to register or update their registration details.
Alternatively, citizens may register during the national voter registration weekend on 20 and 21 June 2026 at the same voting stations where they intend to cast their ballots on election day.
Picture: Supplied