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NewsbriefSouth Africa, briefly.
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South Africans vote in local government elections on Wednesday

Published

Ongoing: Elections Hot

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says 29.2-million people are registered to vote. Voting stations open from 7am to 9pm, and President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared Wednesday a public holiday so people can vote.

The IEC said 2.6-million people were expected to vote during special voting on Monday and Tuesday. It deployed 127,000 officials to oversee that voting.

IEC official Kgosietsile Tshoke said voters must check their voting station and bring an accepted ID. He also told voters to arrive on time and follow the Electoral Code of Conduct.

Voters can check their station details by SMS to 32810 at R1 per SMS, or by WhatsApp on 0600 88 0000. Parliament's Presiding Officers, Speaker Thoko Didiza and NCOP Chairperson Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, urged people to vote.

Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth asked employers to release workers so they can vote.

Key facts

Who
Nomakhosazana Meth (Department of Employment and Labour Minister); Cyril Ramaphosa (President); Department of Employment and Labour (government department that issued the statement); Kgosietsile Tshoke (IEC electoral registrations and liaison manager)
What
Meth called on employers to release employees so they can vote in the Local Government Elections, which take place on Wednesday. President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared Wednesday a public holiday to enable voting.
When
3 November 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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