Electoral Commission reports smooth start to 2026 Local Government Election
Voting is proceeding well across the country, with 98% of the 23 696 voting stations having opened by 07h00, welcoming millions of registered voters as South Africa elects its municipal representatives. As an efficiency measure innovation, the Commission has added the use of handheld barcode scanners attached to the Voter management devices. In addition, it introduced sequence numbers on the voters roll for ease of voter verification, thereby reducing the overall voting time taken by each voter.
A few voting stations opened by 09h00 due to localised protests, and access challenges due to heavy in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal. All ballot papers have since been delivered to voting stations across the country, with only a few deliveries completed shortly after voting commenced.
The Voter Management Devices (VMDs) are functioning optimally, supporting the smooth processing and verification of voters at voting stations.
As at 10h00, preliminary indications were that 3.5 million voters had already cast their ballots across the country.
Provincial Breakdown of certified number of voters on the Voter’s Roll who had cast their ballots by 10am is as follows:
Province Certified Voters Total of votes cast
Gauteng 6 674 073 895 384
KwaZulu-Natal 6 051 917 623 380
Western Cape 3 457 253 461 264
Eastern Cape 3 624 866 431 123
Limpopo 3 630 080 366 378
Mpumalanga 1 643 960 252 859
North West 1 663 544 204 736
Free State 1 487 687 195 537
Northern Cape 997 428 93 030
TOTAL 29 230 808 3 523 691
The Commission is encouraged by the enthusiasm and eagerness demonstrated by voters across all nine provinces. We are particularly encouraged by those who woke up early and made their way to voting stations, with encouraging scenes of voters arriving in the early hours of the morning.
The Commission urges all the remaining registered voters to use the remaining hours of voting to cast their ballots and exercise their democratic right to participate in the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Voter information
The Commission reminds voters that, unlike the National and Provincial Elections, the number of ballot papers issued in the Local Government Elections depends on the type of municipality.
Voters in local municipalities will receive three ballot papers: a grey ballot to elect a ward councillor, a green ballot to vote for a political party in the local council, and a yellow ballot to elect political party representatives to the district council. Voters in metropolitan municipalities will receive two ballot papers: a grey ballot for their ward councillor and a green ballot for their preferred political party in the metropolitan council.
Voters are reminded to make ONE clear X (cross) in the designated box next to their preferred candidate or political party on each ballot paper. Only one candidate or political party may be selected per ballot. Marking more than one choice or making additional marks may result in the ballot being declared spoilt.
Voters who are visually impaired will be assisted using the Universal Ballot Template (UBTs), which enable braille literate to mark their ballots independently. Every voting station is equipped with both single-column and double-column UBTs to accommodate the different ballot paper configurations used in local and metropolitan municipalities.
The Commission has in consultation with Blind SA noted that there are some voting stations with double column ballot papers which have less than 80, candidates therefore presenting a variation with the double column UBT template. The double column UBT is designed to accommodate 40 candidates on the left column and another 40 on the right column. Meaning the number of candidates on the left is 1-40 and 41-80 on the right.
Where the number of candidates is less than 80, take for example 54 candidates, the last candidate on the left column will be 27 on the UBT. The top candidate on the right column will be 28, instead of 41 as per the current UBT template.
The Commission calls upon all Presiding Officers and Deputy Presiding Officers to take note of this possible variation in their voting station and assist the blind voters by explaining the number which the first column of the actual ballot paper ends.
Voters are encouraged to make their way to voting stations early. Importantly, voters are reminded to verify their registration details before going to the vote.
The channels that may be used include the following:
- sending their ID number via WhatsApp to 0600 88 0000 or
- sending their ID by SMS to 32810 at a cost of R1 per SMS;
- Calling the contact centre on 0800 11 8000;
- Checking registration on www.elections.org.za
Voters will receive the name of their registered voting station, and their voters roll sequence number.
Incidents of prohibited Conduct
The Commission received a report of theft of unused Ballot Papers and a stamp in eThekwini. The Provincial Office is has reported the incident with the SAPS and a case has been opened. Investigations on the matter are underway. The Commission has taken all precautionary measures to ensure that the stolen ballots cannot be unlawfully used.
Finally
The Commission also acknowledges the Department of Home Affairs for making its offices available to the public for the collection of identity documents and applications for IDs. We also extend our gratitude to all state agencies and security structures operating through NATJOINTS for their presence and continued efforts to ensure a safe and secure electoral environment.
The Commission also appeals to voters to remain patient and cooperative should they experience queues or delays at voting stations. Election officials are on hand to provide assistance and address queries.
Get Up. Show Up. Vote 4 November 2026!
For media queries: Please contact Kate Bapela on 082 600 6386
For media interviews: Email requests to spokesperson@elections.org.za
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