South Africa is expected to go to the polls for its next local government elections on November 4, President Cyril Ramaphosa said. 

Alex News reports that the announcement was made while Ramaphosa was addressing an extended Presidential Co-ordinating Council meeting at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre today. 

This aligns with the constitutional requirement that elections be held within 90 days of the end of municipal councils’ five-year term on November 2, which sets the election window between early November 2026 and late January 2027. 

Sy Mamabolo, the chief electoral officer of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), said the announcement of the election date provides clarity for all role players and certainty for planning as the commission continues its work to deliver free and fair municipal elections. 

The IEC has urged eligible South Africans who are not registered, or who have changed address, to ensure they are registered in the correct voting district, as voters may only vote at their designated station. 

The commission explained that this announcement is not the official declaration of the election date because, by law, the minister of co-operative governance and traditional affairs must formally announce the date. Once that happens, the voters’ roll will be closed. 

Citizens can register during the national voter registration weekend on June 20 and 21 at the same voting stations where they intend to cast their ballots on Election Day. 

Citizens can also register to vote online at registertovote.elections.org.za

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.