The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) will conduct its Election Satisfaction Survey (ESS) on election day during next Wednesday’s Local Government Elections, encouraging South Africans to share their experiences of the electoral process.
This year’s elections hold historical significance, marking 30 years since South Africa held its first democratic municipal elections in 1995/96.
Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Dr Steven Gordon, Chief Research Specialist in the HSRC’s Developmental, Capable and Ethical State Research Division, urged voters to participate in the survey by sharing their honest views with fieldworkers stationed at selected voting stations.
Gordon said the survey would help assess whether the 2026 Local Government Elections were free and fair, while identifying strengths and weaknesses in the electoral process.
The HSRC said the survey would cover 300 voting stations selected from more than 23,000 nationwide. Approximately 50 randomly selected voters are expected to be interviewed immediately after casting their ballots.
According to Gordon, the selection of voting stations considers provincial distribution, the number of registered voters at each station and other demographic characteristics.
Clearly identified HSRC data collectors will be stationed at the selected voting venues throughout election day.
The council said preliminary findings are typically processed and made available within 48 hours of the polls closing, providing the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) with an independent, evidence-based benchmark to support its assessment of the electoral process.
In the longer term, the findings will help the IEC improve logistics, training and operational strategies ahead of future provincial and national elections.
Gordon also commended the IEC for considering recommendations made by the HSRC following previous rounds of the survey.
The HSRC said credible elections are essential for good governance and encouraged voters to take a few minutes to participate in the survey.
