Polls open in days as SALGA tells voters to pick leaders who deliver

South Africans vote in the 2026 Local Government Elections on Wednesday, 4 November, with registered special voters casting their ballots on Monday, 2 November and Tuesday, 3 November from 8am to 5pm.

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has called on every registered voter to prioritise the election and to choose ethical, capable and accountable leaders who will shape the future of local government.

SALGA said millions of voters are expected at the polls and described the 2026 elections as a defining moment for the sector, ushering in the seventh administration of local government.

The association put the choice to voters in plain terms: the strength of local government depends on the leaders communities elect. It asked South Africans to use the remaining days to consider carefully the calibre, integrity and commitment of the candidates seeking to represent their wards and councils.

“Voting is therefore more than a constitutional right: it is a civic responsibility and a vital part of the social compact through which citizens hold local government to account,” SALGA said in its statement.

The elections follow the launch of the Revised White Paper on Local Government, which SALGA says reflects three decades of local governance, acknowledges persistent shortcomings and sets out a vision for renewing the system. According to the association, the White Paper safeguards the developmental mandate and constitutional status of municipalities while calling for democratic, accountable and capable institutions that deliver reliable services, maintain infrastructure, support development and act in the public interest.

SALGA also advised communities to monitor warnings and guidance from the South African Weather Service and relevant state authorities given changing weather conditions, and to plan for a safe, smooth voting experience. It encouraged voters to arrive at their voting stations as early as possible on 4 November, which has been declared a public holiday.

Separately, the Department of Home Affairs will extend operational hours at all its front offices so that eligible voters can reach the identity documents required to take part. From 2 to 3 November, offices will open from 8am to 6pm for citizens to collect completed identity documents, apply for identity documents or obtain Temporary Identity Certificates (TICs) where applicable. On Election Day, 4 November, Home Affairs offices will operate from 7am to 9pm, in line with the Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) operational hours.

This report is drawn from a SAnews (South African Government News Agency) summary of SALGA’s statement and the Home Affairs announcement, and not from the underlying statements themselves. The original is published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/call-vote-voting-day.