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South Africa: November 2026 local elections

This dossier follows preparations for South Africa’s local elections, special voting and established results.

Last updated : 2 key moments
South African flag, October 2008. Archive image; not the 2026 vote. Chris Eason, CC BY 2.0.
South African flag, October 2008. Archive image; not the 2026 vote. Chris Eason, CC BY 2.0. — Chris Eason / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ — 31 octobre 2008 ; sans modification.

Where things stand

Special voting began on 2 November and continues on 3 November, ahead of the general poll on 4 November. No result has been established.

Reported information

South Africa: special voting begins ahead of 4 November local elections

Special voting in South Africa’s municipal elections began on 2 November 2026 and continues on 3 November. SABC and Eyewitness News report voting-station operations and home visits ahead of the general poll on 4 November.

South African flag, October 2008. Archive image; not the 2026 vote. Chris Eason, CC BY 2.0.
South African flag, October 2008. Archive image; not the 2026 vote. Chris Eason, CC BY 2.0. — Chris Eason / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ — 31 octobre 2008 ; sans modification.

The IEC approved more than 2.6 million applications. This is the number authorised to vote early, rather than a count of ballots already cast.

In Durban, EWN describes more than fifty older people voting at a TAFTA centre. Special ballots are to be stored and counted with other votes after general polling closes, under arrangements reported by Scrolla.

Sources 3
Reported information

South African local elections: over 2.6 million approved for special voting

South Africa’s Electoral Commission (IEC) said on 1 November 2026 that over 2.6 million voters were approved for special voting on 2 and 3 November. The main local election is scheduled for 4 November.

South African local election ballots from May 2011; archive illustration, not 2026 ballots. Discott, CC BY-SA 3.0; colour adjusted by JMK in 2021.
South African local election ballots from May 2011; archive illustration, not 2026 ballots. Discott, CC BY-SA 3.0; colour adjusted by JMK in 2021. — Discott / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ — 18 mai 2011 ; couleurs ajustées par JMK en 2021.

Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo spoke at the national results centre in Midrand, SABC reports. He urged people approved for home visits to remain at the address supplied in their application.

The total refers to approved special-voting applications, not turnout already recorded. Voting and its results were still ahead when the announcement was made.

Sources 2