South Africans heading to the polls on 4 November should make sure they know where to vote, what identification they need and how the voting process works.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says voting stations will be open from 7 am to 9 pm nationwide on Election Day.
Here’s what voters need to know before casting their ballots.
Who can vote?
To vote in the 2026 Local Government Elections, you must be a South African citizen, be at least 18 years old and be registered to vote.
You must also have a green barcoded South African ID book, a valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC) or a smart ID card. Driver’s licences will not be accepted.
Unlike national elections, voters in local government elections must vote at the voting station where they are registered.
You can check your registration details and voting station at the IEC’s voting station finder or SMS your ID number to 32810.
What happens when you arrive?
An election official will check your identification document and confirm your registration details against the voters’ roll.
Your thumbnail will be inked before you receive your ballot papers. The number and type of ballots depend on the municipality where you are registered.
Voters in metropolitan municipalities will receive two ballot papers: one for the ward candidate and another for the metropolitan council (PR Ballot). Voters in local municipalities will receive three ballots: Ward, PR and District Ballots.
The IEC will use a two-column ballot layout for the 2026 elections, reflecting the number of contestants.
Once you receive your ballot papers, check that each has the required official stamp on the back. You can then mark your choices in the voting booth, fold the ballots to keep your choices private and place them in the ballot boxes.
Made a mistake on your ballot?
If you mark a ballot incorrectly, do not put it in the ballot box.
Instead, speak to the presiding officer or an election official. The spoiled ballot will be cancelled, and you will be issued with a replacement.
Once a ballot has been placed in the ballot box, it cannot be removed or replaced.
What is the Voter Management Device?
Election officials will use Voter Management Devices (VMDs) to check registration details and verify voters at voting stations.
The devices, used with handheld barcode scanners, are intended to make voter verification quicker and more accurate. Election officials remain responsible for managing the process and ensuring that election rules are followed.
A newly introduced Voting Centre Officer role will also support compliance, check that equipment is operational and help address queues and other operational issues.
What about special votes?
Special votes are reserved for voters whose applications were approved by the IEC. Applications for the 2026 elections closed on 12 October.
Approved special votes will be administered from 8 am to 5 pm on 2 and 3 November at all voting stations.
Special votes at home follow a double-envelope process, and voters are marked off the approved list once they have voted.
The role of political party agents
Political party agents observe designated parts of the electoral process on behalf of their parties. They can raise objections through the appropriate channels and record relevant information.
However, they must follow the rules governing their conduct and may not interfere with voters, election officials or the voting process.
Be alert to election misinformation
The IEC is also urging voters to verify election-related information before sharing it on social media or through messaging platforms.
Check who published the information, whether the source is credible and whether the claims can be verified.
Suspected election misinformation can be reported through Real411.
