Government takes election day updates to TikTok

The Government of South Africa is carrying its Election Day updates on TikTok, with a live broadcast running on the video platform as voters go to the polls in the 2026 local government elections.

The announcement came from the state’s official @GovernmentZA account on X, which told followers to “catch the Government Communications special broadcast on TikTok” for “the latest updates and important information on Election Day”. The post linked directly to the live stream and carried the hashtags #LGE2026, #WozaLGE2026, #GetUpShowUpVote and #GovZAUpdates.

It is the second half of that message, the information, that matters most on a voting day. The broadcast is being positioned as a channel for practical Election Day guidance rather than campaign messaging, in line with the communication service’s mandate to keep the public informed while voting is under way.

The choice of platform is notable in itself. TikTok reaches a younger audience than the state’s traditional channels, and the local government election is the first national vote in which the government has run a dedicated live stream on the app.

The post did not set out what the broadcast would cover beyond “the latest updates and important information”, and no schedule or running order was given. Voters who want the state’s official word on the day now know where to find it. Those who do not use TikTok will need to look elsewhere for the same information.