President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to vote on 4 November 2026, noting that the timing, just before the December festive season, is expected to support strong voter turnout.

The President announced the date for local municipal elections at the Extended Presidential Coordinating Council (PCC) Meeting earlier today.

Ramaphosa says the proposed date offers several advantages to ensure that voters have enough time to successfully cast their votes.

“The date falls on a Wednesday and outside the festive period, which could improve voter turnout significantly. It will have minimal impact on schools and higher education exam periods, and it does not fall within the peak season in which people normally travel.”

Although the date has been proclaimed, Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa is expected to formally gazette it soon.