The 2026 South African Local Government Elections will take place on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, following the official gazetting of the election date by Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa.
Minister Hlabisa gazetted the date on Friday, 7 August 2026, in Government Gazette No. 55162.
The announcement officially marks the start of the election period ahead of South Africa’s next municipal elections.
Municipal elections set for 4 November 2026
Under Section 159 of the Constitution, read together with the Municipal Structures Act, local government elections must be held within 90 days after the end of a municipal council’s five-year term.
With the election date now officially gazetted, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) will close the voters’ roll and voter registration for the 2026 municipal elections.
The minister thanked South Africans who took part in the IEC’s voter registration drives and encouraged voters to ensure that their details are correctly reflected on the voters’ roll.
IEC to provide election updates
Following the gazetting of the election date and the closure of the voters’ roll, the IEC will provide regular updates on the various processes leading up to election day.
The gazetting of the date signals the formal beginning of the election period, with political parties, candidates, election officials and voters now turning their attention to 4 November.
Hlabisa calls for peaceful municipal elections
Minister Hlabisa called on all South Africans to help ensure that the 2026 Local Government Elections are peaceful, credible, free and fair.
He particularly encouraged women, young people, persons with disabilities and residents in rural communities under traditional authorities to participate in the elections.
Hlabisa urged eligible voters to use their vote to strengthen South Africa’s democracy when the country goes to the polls on 4 November 2026.
The 2026 municipal elections will determine the composition of local government across South Africa for the next five-year term.
Minister Hlabisa gazetted the date on Friday, 7 August 2026, in Government Gazette No. 55162.
The announcement officially marks the start of the election period ahead of South Africa’s next municipal elections.
Municipal elections set for 4 November 2026
Under Section 159 of the Constitution, read together with the Municipal Structures Act, local government elections must be held within 90 days after the end of a municipal council’s five-year term.
With the election date now officially gazetted, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) will close the voters’ roll and voter registration for the 2026 municipal elections.
The minister thanked South Africans who took part in the IEC’s voter registration drives and encouraged voters to ensure that their details are correctly reflected on the voters’ roll.
IEC to provide election updates
Following the gazetting of the election date and the closure of the voters’ roll, the IEC will provide regular updates on the various processes leading up to election day.
The gazetting of the date signals the formal beginning of the election period, with political parties, candidates, election officials and voters now turning their attention to 4 November.
Hlabisa calls for peaceful municipal elections
Minister Hlabisa called on all South Africans to help ensure that the 2026 Local Government Elections are peaceful, credible, free and fair.
He particularly encouraged women, young people, persons with disabilities and residents in rural communities under traditional authorities to participate in the elections.
Hlabisa urged eligible voters to use their vote to strengthen South Africa’s democracy when the country goes to the polls on 4 November 2026.
The 2026 municipal elections will determine the composition of local government across South Africa for the next five-year term.
