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Gauteng committee urges calm ahead of 4 November elections

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Ongoing: Elections Hot

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety asked parties, supporters and residents to reject political violence and intimidation. It also called on police to increase visibility and readiness at high-risk voting stations.

The committee issued its statement on Sunday, ahead of the Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026. It said: "no political contest is worth a single life lost and no political difference justifies violence, intimidation or the destruction of community relations".

Approved special votes will be cast on 2 and 3 November 2026. The Electoral Commission approved 2 655 067 special vote applications for these elections. That is a 131% increase on the 1 147 759 approved for the 2021 elections.

The South African Local Government Association urged registered voters to make the election a priority. The statement also highlighted coordination between the Electoral Commission and law enforcement.

Key facts

Who
Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety (issued the statement calling for peaceful elections); South African Police Service (called on to increase visibility and readiness during the election period); Electoral Commission (election body; coordination with law enforcement highlighted); South African Local Government Association (urged registered voters to prioritise the election)
What
In a statement issued on Sunday, the committee urged parties, supporters and residents to reject political violence and intimidation before the 4 November 2026 local government elections, and called on SAPS to increase visibility and readiness at high-risk voting stations.
When
1 November 2026
Where
Gauteng
Status
Reported

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