Ramaphosa declares 4 November election day a public holiday

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared Wednesday, 4 November 2026, the date of South Africa’s local government elections, a public holiday across the country.

The declaration was made in terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act of 1994.

Ramaphosa has urged all registered voters to use the public holiday to exercise their democratic right and civic duty by casting their ballots in the local government elections.

The President reminded voters that they will only be able to vote at polling stations in the wards where they are registered.

Those planning to travel on election day have also been warned that they will not be able to transfer their votes to polling stations outside their designated wards.

Ramaphosa further called on employers to make arrangements that will allow employees to exercise their constitutional right to vote on 4 November.

The local government elections will determine the public representatives responsible for municipalities and have a direct bearing on service delivery in communities across the country.