The election date proclamation triggers key legal processes, including the closure of the voters' roll at midnight on 7 August, meaning no further registrations or changes to voter details will be accepted for the 2026 elections. The elections will determine councillors and municipal leadership structures for the 2026–2031 term.
Voter Registration Drive
The Electoral Commission conducted two successful voter registration weekends in the lead-up to the elections. The final registration weekend on 1 and 2 August 2026 saw approximately 1.7 million citizens interact with the IEC, with 291,806 registering as first-time voters. Overall, the two registration drives added more than 750,000 new voters to the national voters' roll.
Young people emerged as a significant force, with 485,757 transactions involving people aged between 16 and 29 during the final registration weekend, while 46 percent of new registrations were by voters under the age of 29. Citizens can register from the age of 16, although only those who are 18 or older are eligible to vote.
The total number of registered voters now exceeds 29 million. The IEC has introduced voter registration via WhatsApp, providing another way for citizens to register or update their voter information using their mobile phones by sending "Hi" to 0600 88 0000.
Election Timetable and Key Dates
The Electoral Commission has published the 2026 Local Government Elections timetable, which serves as the guiding framework for various preparations, ranging from the finalisation and certification of the voters' roll to candidate nominations, objections, voting arrangements, special votes and the declaration of results.
Key dates in the election timetable include:
- 11 August 2026 – Provisional voters' roll available for inspection
- 17 August 2026 – Certification of the voters' roll
- 25 August to 12 September 2026 – Candidate nomination period
- 18 September 2026 – Cut-off date for submissions of candidate lists
- 22 September 2026 – Date by which the Electoral Commission must finalise and publish candidate lists
- 9 October 2026 – Special vote applications open
- 24 October 2026 – Special vote applications close
- 27 October 2026 – Date on which the Electoral Commission must decide on special vote applications
- 2 to 4 November 2026 – Special voting days
- 4 November 2026 – Election day
The Significance of Local Government Elections
Local government elections are crucial as citizens vote for leaders who will be directly responsible for delivering services and driving development in their communities over the next five-year term. Local government affects issues such as water supply, sanitation, roads, refuse collection and local safety, making these elections essential for ensuring accountability at the grassroots level.
IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya described local government elections as the "coalface" of South Africa's constitutional democracy, noting that municipalities are directly responsible for translating constitutional commitments into everyday services for communities.
The proclamation of the election date has also opened the door for political parties and candidates to begin their campaigns, with voters to elect a total of 4,475 councillors across the country's 257 metropolitan, district and local municipalities. Voters will elect 213 metropolitan councillors and 4,262 other councillors across the remaining municipalities.
The IEC has urged all eligible South Africans to ensure they are registered and prepared to vote, as every vote counts in shaping the future of local communities. The commission has also encouraged citizens to engage with the process and make their voices heard on 4 November 2026.
With reporting from SABC News, Electoral Commission of South Africa, SAnews.gov.za and News24.
