Midrand:With only hours remaining before the commencement of voting in South Africa's 2026 Local Government Elections, the Electoral Commission has called upon voters, political parties, independent candidates, observers, and all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful Election Day.

According to South African Government News Agency, IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya emphasized the Commission's commitment to facilitating a free, fair, credible, and peaceful electoral process. The Commission has made comprehensive arrangements across all nine provinces to support an efficient voting process.

An unprecedented total of 29.2 million voters are registered to cast their ballots at 23,696 voting stations nationwide. To manage the voting process, 188,000 IEC officials have been deployed, prepared to assist and ensure the elections proceed smoothly. All necessary election materials, including ballot papers, have been distributed and secured, with logistical, security, and operational plans in place.

On Election Day, voting stations will operate from 7 am to 9 pm. Voters are reminded to bring a valid South African identity document, smart ID card, or Temporary Identity Certificate to vote. The Commission stresses the importance of maintaining the secrecy of the ballot, prohibiting photographs of marked ballots and any form of campaigning within or near voting stations.

The Commission also advises voters to verify their registration details and voting station location before heading out to vote to avoid delays. Information can be checked via WhatsApp, the IEC Contact Centre, SMS, or the official website.

As campaigning concludes at midnight, the Commission reiterates that this pause is crucial for allowing voters to make uninfluenced decisions. Special voting concluded earlier, with over 1.4 million voters participating, reflecting significant public engagement in the electoral process.