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Hlabisa says South Africa is ready for local elections

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Ongoing: Elections Hot

Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa says logistical, technical and security arrangements are fully on track for the municipal polls. General voting day is 4 November, and special votes run from Monday to Tuesday.

Hlabisa is the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). He is also a member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Local Government. He spoke after he called the chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Hlabisa said preparations such as ballot paper printing, special voting and the inclusion of previously excluded candidates are well underway. He said all systems are go.

"We are satisfied, and we are ready as a country to host the elections," Hlabisa said.

Key facts

Who
Velenkosini Hlabisa (COGTA Minister and member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Local Government); IEC chairperson (chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, called by Hlabisa); African National Congress (party involved in Constitutional Court case with the IEC); Electoral Commission of South Africa (electoral body; party to Constitutional Court case with the ANC)
What
Hlabisa, speaking as COGTA Minister and member of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Local Government, declared 'all systems go' ahead of the nationwide municipal polls after calling the IEC chairperson. Special votes are set for Monday to Tuesday and the general voting day is 4 November.
When
26 October 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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