Pretoria: While urging eligible South Africans to cast their vote in the upcoming Local Government Elections, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, has also called on voters to ensure peaceful, credible, free, and fair municipal elections.
According to South African Government News Agency, Minister Hlabisa emphasizes the importance of participation from all demographics, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and people in rural areas under different traditional authorities. This call to action aims to strengthen democracy by encouraging voting in the elections scheduled for 4 November 2026.
The announcement of the election date was made official when Minister Hlabisa gazetted it, as published in Government Gazette No. 55162. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) explained that the minister has a constitutional responsibility, as outlined in section 159 of the Constitution, along with the Municipal Structures Act, to ensure elections are held within 90 days at the end of a five-year local government term. The gazetting of the election date signifies the closing of the voters' roll, thereby halting registration as the elections approach.
The minister also expressed gratitude towards citizens who registered and ensured their names were included in the voters' roll after the Electoral Commission's registration drive. The online registration and updating of voter details concluded at midnight on Friday, marking a critical step in the preparation for the elections.
The department further stated that following the official announcement of the election date and the closure of the voters' roll, the Electoral Commission will provide updates throughout the election period leading up to voting day. The gazetting signals the commencement of the election period as the nation anticipates the upcoming voting day.
At a media briefing on Friday, the Electoral Commission expressed its approval of the 4 November 2026 election date. It also announced the publication of the Election Timetable, which serves as the guiding framework for preparations including the finalisation and certification of the voters' roll, candidate nominations, objections, voting arrangements, special votes, and the declaration of results.