South Africa says preparations are on track for 4 November municipal polls

South Africa’s government says preparations are on track for the 2026 local government elections, with general voting scheduled for 4 November.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa said logistical, technical and security arrangements were progressing. He listed ballot-paper printing, special voting and the participation of candidates who had previously been excluded among the preparations under way.

Hlabisa said special voting would take place on Monday and Tuesday, ahead of polling day for the general public on Wednesday, 4 November. He said the government was satisfied with the country’s readiness following discussions with the chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission.

The minister also stressed that the IEC remains the lead body for election logistics, ballot printing and administration. His comments were made in his capacity as COGTA minister and a member of the government’s Inter-Ministerial Committee on Local Government.

The elections will determine representation in municipal councils across the country. Hlabisa’s assessment describes the government’s readiness; the SABC report did not provide a detailed district-by-district status update or independent measures of preparedness.

Source: SABC News.