Cabinet urges all eligible voters whose identity documents have been lost or damaged to replace them as soon as possible before the Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026.
Briefing the media on Tuesday in Pretoria, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said those who are affected can visit a Home Affairs office or any of the more than 450 participating bank branches to apply for identity documents.
“Applications for special votes for the 2026 Local Government Elections are open and will close on 12 October 2026 at 5pm,” Ntshavheni said.
Ntshavheni explained that a special vote allows eligible registered voters who cannot vote at their voting stations on Election Day, 4 November, to cast their ballot in advance.
Special votes are open to voters with disabilities, pregnant women, elderly people and people with work-related commitments.
“Cabinet encourages all South Africans, especially young people and first-time voters, to exercise their right to vote. Every vote matters and helps to keep our democracy strong. Cabinet appeals to political parties and independent candidates participating in the forthcoming elections to always uphold the electoral code of conduct and exercise political tolerance,” she said.
Earlier this month, the Electoral Commission (IEC) announced that an unprecedented 136 790 candidates met the statutory requirements to contest South Africa’s local government elections, scheduled for 4 November 2026.
“Out of these 136 790 candidates, 98 219 are nominated by parties to represent wards and 38 571 to represent parties in the Proportional Representation (PR) election. A total of 621 candidates are independents nominated to represent wards,” the IEC’s Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, told a media briefing.
According to the IEC, the candidates will contest seats across the country’s eight metropolitan municipalities, 44 district municipalities and 205 local municipalities.
The IEC disqualified 5 096 candidates after the conclusion of the statutory reviews, including confirmation that all contestants had paid the applicable deposits and that all candidates were properly nominated.
Last month, Cabinet said preparations for the 2026 Local Government Elections are progressing, with coordination mechanisms across all three spheres of government in place, ahead of the polls scheduled for 4 November 2026.
At that time, Cabinet welcomed ongoing measures to strengthen voter participation, combat misinformation and ensure operational readiness, while encouraging all eligible South Africans to exercise their right to vote.
President Cyril Ramaphosa officially announced 4 November 2026 as the date for South Africa’s upcoming Local Government Elections, setting the stage for political parties and voters to begin preparations. – SAnews.gov.za
