LGE 2026 Timetable For Local Government Elections

Organisation : Electoral Commission of South Africa
Election Name : Local Government Elections (LGE) 2026
Facility : Timetable For Local Government Elections 2026
Country : South Africa
Election Date : 4th November 2026
Website : https://www.elections.org.za/pw/

What is Local Government Elections (LGE)?

The 2026 South African Local Government Elections (LGE) are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. These municipal elections are held every five years to elect councils for all district, metropolitan, and local municipalities across South Africa’s nine provinces.

Related / Similar Facility : LGE 2026 Voting Stations List

Timetable For Local Government Elections

August :
Fri Aug 07: Notice/s calling the elections, and opening of nomination of candidates
Tue Aug 11 :Provisional voters’ roll available for inspection at national and local offices [Electoral Act, s14 (1) (e)]. Open objections to provisional voters’ roll [Electoral Act, s15]
Fri Aug 14 : Publish list of addresses of voting stations and routes of mobile voting stations
Tue Aug 18: Close objections to provisional voters’ roll
Mon Aug 24: Commission decides on objections to the Provisional voters’ roll and notifies objector(s) of its decision [Electoral Acts15(3)]
Wed Aug 26: Certification and publication of Voters’ Roll by making it available. [s6(2)]
Fri Aug 28: Cut-off date for submission of party lists and nominations of ward candidates S14(1A); S17(1A)

September:
Fri Sept 04: Cut-off date to request party/independent to submit ID copy and/or signed Acceptance of Nomination, where required [ss14(3) and 17(2A)
Mon Sept 07: Cut-off date for a party/ independent to submit ID copy and/or signed Acceptance of Nomination [ss14(3) and 17(2A)
Wed Sept 09 :Notify Candidates and Parties or Persons that have recieved mulitple nominations [S17(2B)(a)]c
Fri Sept 11: Cut off date for Parties and Candidates to substitute Candidates and Parties [S17(2B)(b)]
Wed Sept 16: Compilation of lists of candidates and making it available [s15(1);s18(1)]
Mon Sept 21: Opening of applications for Special Votes to the CEO [S55]
Fri Sept 25: Issue of certificates to candidates [s15(3);s18(1)(d)]
Mon Oct 12: Closing of Applications for special votes to the CEO [Reg 28B]

November:
02 Monday November : Special votes: Home & station visits [Reg 28C] 08:00 ― 17:00
03 Tuesday November : Special Votes: Home & station visits [Reg 28C] 08:00 ― 17:00
04 Wednesday November : Election Day

The Electoral System:
South African municipal elections operate on a mixed-member proportional representation system

Metropolitan Areas:
Voters receive two ballots. One ballot directly elects a ward councillor. The second ballot goes to a political party list to determine proportional representation (PR) seats.

Local & District Municipalities:
Voters outside metropolitan areas receive three ballots. These include one for a ward councillor, one for the local council party list, and one for the overarching district council party list.

Terms:
Elected councillors serve a fixed five-year term.