President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally declared 4 November 2026, the date of the Local Government Elections, a public holiday.
The Presidency made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act of 1994, declared Wednesday, 4 November 2026 – the date for the Local Government Elections – a public holiday throughout the country,” the Presidency said.
The move is aimed at allowing millions of registered voters to cast their ballots in the only elections in which residents directly elect ward-based representatives.
“The President calls on all registered voters to use the opportunity of the public holiday to exercise their democratic right and civic duty by voting in this election, which empowers citizens to elect local public representatives and influence service delivery where they live,” the Presidency said.
Voters have also been reminded that they will only be able to cast their ballots at polling stations in the wards where they are registered.
“In the event that voters may consider travel, they will not be able to transfer their votes to voting stations away from their designated wards,” the Presidency said.
Ramaphosa has also called on employers to allow employees sufficient time to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
“President Ramaphosa also urges employers to make provision for employees to exercise their Constitutional right to vote on 4 November,” the Presidency said.