November 4 declared a public holiday as voting fever strikes!

WITH only 54 days left before South Africans head to the polls, government is pulling out all the stops to ensure nothing goes wrong!

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, called an urgent meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Thursday, 10 September 2026, to check that all electoral machinery is running like clockwork ahead of the 4 November municipal elections.

The committee is meeting every two weeks to keep a hawk’s eye on logistics, security, and service delivery challenges.

RECORD VOTERS READY TO MAKE THEIR MARK

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) revealed that the certified voters’ roll now sits at an unprecedented 29 246 666 registered voters.

Women are leading the charge, making up 55% of the total voters.

Competition will be fierce in every ward and council across Mzansi. When nominations closed on 28 August, a staggering 142 072 candidates raised their hands to contest just 10 526 council seats. That marks a massive 43% jump in candidate participation compared to the 2021 local elections, which saw 99 000 hopefuls.

A total of 546 political parties are contesting across the country. The final list of confirmed candidates and parties will be officially released on 16 September 2026, following the resolution of candidate list objections.

KEY DATES YOU CANNOT MISS

The IEC warned that the clock is ticking and voters must keep an eye on crucial deadlines:

• 21 September 2026: Special votes applications officially open.

• 23 September 2026: The IEC hosts the Code of Conduct Ceremony and conducts the official Ballot Paper Draw.

• 12 October 2026 (17:00): Deadline for special vote applications closes. No late applications will be entertained.

• 2–3 November 2026: Special voting takes place at home, places of care, or voting stations for approved applicants facing physical limitations, illness, or disability.

• 4 November 2026: Election Day!

COPS ON HIGH ALERT AND EXTENDED HOME AFFAIRS HOURS

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) confirmed that law enforcement agencies are fully activated to safeguard polling stations and maintain peace across all communities.

To help citizens get their identity documents in order:

• Election Day, 4 November 2026, has officially been gazetted as a public holiday.

• Department of Home Affairs offices will extend operating hours until 18:00 every working day between 26 September and 6 October 2026.

• Mobile trucks are being dispatched to communities across all provinces to assist residents with required voting documents.

WATER THREAT LOOMS OVER ELECTIONS

It will not be smooth sailing on all fronts. The Department of Water and Sanitation briefed the IMC on the serious threat posed by the El Niño weather pattern.

With scorching temperatures and dry spells expected to hit dams and water storage systems over the summer, water demand will shoot up. Municipalities have been instructed to act decisively against water leaks, curb losses, and enforce water-use restrictions where necessary so that taps do not run dry during the crucial voting window.

Minister Hlabisa and the IMC made an impassioned plea to every eligible citizen to turn out in numbers on 4 November, show up at the ballot box, and make their voices heard.