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NewsbriefSouth Africa, briefly.
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12 million South Africans vote in local government elections

Published

Ongoing: Elections Hot

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said 12 million people had voted across the country by 5pm on Wednesday. Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba said she was encouraged by how many young people took part.

Ramathuba spoke at the Results Operations Centre in Polokwane on election day. She said young people show growing participation in shaping democracy. In her view, the idea that the youth are apathetic is fading.

The IEC runs a national results centre at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg. Political reporters covered developments live from that venue as voting went on.

Key facts

Who
Arena Holdings (publisher of the Political Arena team's live coverage); Electoral Commission of South Africa (election body whose results centre is the coverage location); Phophi Ramathuba (Limpopo Premier); Independent Electoral Commission (electoral body that reported the vote count)
What
A live blog from the Political Arena team, based at the Electoral Commission of South Africa's results centre at Gallagher Estate, unpacks developments as South Africans vote in the local government elections (LGE).
When
4 November 2026
Where
Gallagher Estate, Midrand, Johannesburg
Status
Developing

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