Pretoria: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has urged all eligible South Africans to register and verify their voter registration details before the proclamation of the 2026 Local Government Elections date on Friday, 7 August 2026.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister of CoGTA, under Section 159 of the Constitution and the Municipal Structures Act, is tasked with proclaiming the date of local government elections, which must occur within 90 days following the end of a municipality's five-year term. The announcement and official gazetting of the election date will lead to the closure of the voters' roll for the 2026 elections.
The Minister's appeal comes on the heels of a successful voter registration weekend held on 1 and 2 August 2026, where approximately 1.7 million citizens engaged with the Electoral Commission (IEC). Of these participants, 291,806 were new registrants, while over 1.5 million voters updated or confirmed their registration details.
Hlabisa expressed satisfaction with the turnout, indicating it as a testament to the citizens' dedication to fortifying democracy and influencing the future of their communities. He emphasized the importance of voter registration, stating, "Every registered voter strengthens our democracy and ensures that communities have a voice in local government."
The Minister reiterated that in local government elections, voters are restricted to casting their votes in the ward where they are registered. He urged citizens to utilize the IEC's Online Voter Registration Portal and voter verification services to verify their registration status.
Additionally, Hlabisa acknowledged the efforts of the Electoral Commission, electoral staff, political parties, community organizations, traditional leaders, and all stakeholders whose contributions were pivotal to the success of the voter registration weekend.
The 2026 Local Government Elections in South Africa, set for 4 November 2026, represent a significant opportunity for citizens to influence local governance and enhance democratic engagement at the community level.