South Africans vote in local elections today, with a record 29.2 million registered
Polls are open until 9pm at 23,696 voting stations, and more than 1.3 million people had already voted by midday on Tuesday.
Johannesburg — South Africa chooses its municipal councils today. The Electoral Commission recorded an unprecedented 29.2 million registered voters for the 2026 Local Government Elections, and has deployed 188,000 officials to 23,696 voting stations across all nine provinces.
Stations opened at 7am and close at 9pm. Those already in the queue at 9pm can still vote.
More than 1.3 million people had cast special votes by midday on Tuesday, the second and last special voting day.
Voters receive either two or three ballot papers, depending on their municipality, and should make one X on each. Every station also has templates to let blind voters cast a secret ballot.
"The Commission remains committed to ensuring that every eligible voter is afforded the opportunity to cast their ballot in a free, fair, credible and peaceful electoral process," said its chairperson, Mosotho Moepya, who urged all sides to help keep the day peaceful.
Source: SAnews, SAnews, Daily Maverick, November 2026.
