The elections will take place on Wednesday, 4 November, when voters will choose the ward councillors and political parties they want to represent them in municipal councils. Image: AI Generated.
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Local Government Elections: What voters need to know about their ballots as parties wrap up final rallies
South Africans head to the polls on Wednesday, 4 November, to elect their local representatives. But depending on where they live, voters will receive either two or three ballot papers. Here is what to expect at the voting station, how to mark your ballot and what the major parties did in their final campaign push.
South Africans are preparing to cast their votes in the 2026 Local Government Elections, with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) reminding voters to understand the ballot papers before entering the voting booth.
The elections will take place on Wednesday, 4 November, when voters will choose the ward councillors and political parties they want to represent them in municipal councils.
One of the important things voters need to know is that the number of ballot papers they receive will depend on the type of municipality in which they are registered.
How many ballot papers will you receive?
Voters registered in metropolitan municipalities will receive two ballot papers.
The first ballot is the ward ballot, which allows voters to choose a candidate to represent their ward. This ballot includes the names and pictures of the candidates contesting in that ward, including independent candidates.
The second is the proportional representation (PR) ballot. Voters use this ballot to choose the political party they want represented in the metropolitan council.
Those registered in local municipalities outside the country's eight metropolitan municipalities will receive three ballot papers.
In addition to the ward and local council PR ballots, they will receive a third ballot for the district municipality's proportional representation election.
This means voters in these municipalities will have an opportunity to choose their ward representative, the party they want represented in the local council and the party they want represented in the district council.
Can you vote for different parties?
Yes. Voters are not required to support the same political party on every ballot.
For example, a voter may choose a candidate from one political party for the ward ballot and select a different party on the PR ballot.
The ward ballot is about the individual candidate voters want to represent their community, while the PR ballot is about the political party they want represented in the council.
How do you mark your ballot correctly?
Once inside the voting booth, voters must make one clear mark, such as an X, in the box next to their preferred candidate or political party on each ballot paper.
Voters should avoid making unnecessary marks, writing their names or signing the ballot papers, as this could result in their votes being rejected.
If you make a mistake while marking your ballot, do not place it in the ballot box. Instead, return it to the presiding officer and request assistance before submitting it.
After marking the ballot papers, fold them as instructed and place them in the designated ballot boxes.
What must you bring to the voting station?
Voters must bring an acceptable identity document to be allowed to vote.
The accepted documents are:
A green barcoded South African identity document.
A smart ID card.
A valid temporary identity certificate.
Driver's licences, passports, student cards and photocopies of identity documents are not accepted.
Voters must also remember that they can only vote at the voting station where they are registered for the municipal elections.
Those who are unsure about their registration details or voting station can check through the IEC website at www.elections.org.za, send their 13-digit ID number by SMS to 32810, or send “Hi” to the IEC WhatsApp line on 060 088 0000.
When can you vote?
Election Day is Wednesday, 4 November 2026, and has been declared a public holiday.
Voting stations will be open from 7am until 9pm.
Special voting will take place on Monday, 2 November, and Tuesday, 3 November, between 8am and 5pm. This applies to voters whose special vote applications were approved. Depending on their circumstances and approval, they will either vote at their registered voting station or receive a home visit from IEC officials.
Parties make their final campaign push
With the elections approaching, political parties have been using their final rallies to make their last appeals to voters and highlight what they believe they can deliver in municipalities.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) held its final national rally at Moretele Park in Mamelodi, Tshwane, on Saturday, 31 October. Party leader Geordin Hill-Lewis urged supporters to vote for the DA, arguing that the party could offer an alternative to what he described as poor governance and failing service delivery under the ANC.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also held its final rally at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, with party leader Julius Malema addressing supporters as the party made its last push ahead of the polls.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) held its Siyanqoba rally at Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban, while the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) gathered supporters at Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Stadium for its final campaign event.
The African National Congress (ANC) concluded its Siyanqoba campaign programme at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, on Sunday, 1 November, with party president Cyril Ramaphosa expected to make a final appeal to voters.
As campaigning draws to a close, the focus now shifts to the ballot box, where voters will decide who they want to lead their municipalities for the next five years.
The IEC has urged eligible voters to turn out and exercise their democratic right.
