Local government elections in South Africa give residents the power to choose councillors who manage essential services in their communities every five years.
What is happening?
South Africa holds Local Government Elections every five years. During these elections, registered voters choose municipal councillors who represent their communities on local councils. These councillors are responsible for critical decisions that affect daily life, such as water, electricity, roads, housing, and waste services.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) manages these elections and voter registration.
Why it matters to you
Local councils shape the quality of services in your ward. The councillors you elect decide on budgets, projects, and policies that affect where you live.
If you’re not registered, you cannot vote—and if you’re registered in the wrong place, your vote won’t count in your community. That’s why updating your voter details matters.
What you need to know
Here’s how Local Government Elections work and what’s required to vote:
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Election frequency | Every five years |
| Who runs the elections | Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) |
| Who you vote for | Municipal councillors |
| What councillors do | Oversee local services and budgets (water, electricity, roads, etc.) |
| Who can vote | Any South African citizen aged 18+ who is a registered voter |
| Where you must register | At your current home address |
| How to register or update details | Online at registertovote.elections.org.za |
| New registrations (2026 so far) | Over 26,000 new voters |
What you should do next
If you live in the Eastern Cape or anywhere in South Africa and plan to vote in the next local election:
- Check your registration status
- Update your address if you’ve moved
- Register online if you’re 18 or older and haven’t registered before
To do this:
- Visit registertovote.elections.org.za
- Follow the steps to register or update your information
- Make sure your ID details and home address are correct
You must register in the ward where you live. You can only vote at your registered location.
