South Africa Voting Stations Close at 9pm

More than 3.5 million South Africans had cast ballots by 10am, about 12% of the 29.2 million registered voters.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

South Africa Voting Stations Close at 9pm

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Political parties urged South African voters to cast ballots before polling stations closed at 9pm on Wednesday. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reported that 98% of voting stations had opened by 7am and voting has so far proceeded without serious problems.

Why it matters

Voters still in the queue at closing time will be allowed to vote, so the final turnout will depend on late arrivals as well as the morning rush. Some areas have recorded low turnout, which may shape how parties read the national result.

The Independent Electoral Commission reported interim figures showing more than 3.5 million voters, or about 12% of the 29.2 million registered voters, had cast ballots by 10am. The final turnout is not yet known, and the ANC is comparing these figures with its own operations centre data.

The players

Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)

The IEC is the body responsible for managing and overseeing elections in South Africa, and it released the interim turnout figures.

African National Congress (ANC)

The ANC is South Africa's governing party, and it is comparing IEC figures with data from its own operations centre and provincial structures.

ActionSA

ActionSA is a South African political party that says it has spent more than a year and a half building its structures, activists, resourcing and training.

The details

The Independent Electoral Commission said 98% of voting stations opened by 7am, and voters queuing at closing time will still be allowed to vote. ActionSA says it has invested more than a year and a half into its structures, activists, resourcing and training.

7am on Wednesday, 4 November 2026: 98% of voting stations opened.
10am on Wednesday, 4 November 2026: More than 3.5 million people had voted.
9pm on Wednesday, 4 November 2026: Voting stations close.

Big Picture

The Independent Electoral Commission publishes interim turnout figures during voting day under its mandate to administer South Africa's national elections. Those figures are now being compared with party-held data, as the ANC and other parties assess participation.

Voters who are still in a queue when polling stations close at 9pm will be allowed to cast their ballots. Voters who have not yet voted should check their local polling station before the 9pm closing time.

The takeaway

Turnout figures released during the day give only a partial picture, and the final count will reflect late voters in queues at closing. Readers should follow official IEC results once the count is complete.