Smooth start to local government elections: IEC

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Chairperson Mosotho Moepya says all voting stations have opened without any glitches on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Results Operations Centre in Midrand, Moepya has urged all registered voters to cast their votes where they are registered.

South Africans vote in the 2026 Local Government Elections on Wednesday.

Voters have also been urged to mark their ballot papers in private and follow the instructions of election officials.

The commission has further warned that campaigning, canvassing, intimidating or attempting to influence voters inside voting stations is not permitted.

“Glitches are not so easy to handle but we have not had them at this stage. All indications we have at this stage is that all is up and running. Indications are that we have opened successfully almost everywhere in the country,” adds Moepya.

The IEC Chairperson has warned that anyone who contravenes the relevant electoral laws could face a fine or imprisonment of up to five years.

He has called on voters to guard against misinformation and disinformation.

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