IEC declares voting stations ready for Wednesday’s elections

The Electoral Commission (IEC) says its nearly 24 thousand voting stations across the country are ready to assist the country’s over 29 million registered voters to cast their ballots for the 2026 local government election on Wednesday.

IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya says all ballot papers and essential election materials have already been secured and distributed to voting stations, with the necessary logistical, security and operational arrangements in place to support the successful conduct of the elections.

He has called on voters to play their part in the democratic process.

Voting stations will open at 7 am and close at 9 pm, with voters reminded to present a valid South African identity document, which may be a Smart ID Card, green barcoded ID book or Temporary Identity Certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs.

“We call on all parties, their candidates and their supporters, all persons in the republic to create a climate conducive to the holding of free and fair elections. We call for tolerance, we call for peace and we appeal to everyone of the registered voters to come out, your democracy and indeed your country needs you. We ask you to get up show up and to vote.”

VIDEO| IEC briefing on second day of special votes: