Voter Turnout Tops 40% in South African Municipal Polls
About 12 million South Africans had cast ballots by 5pm on Wednesday, according to preliminary figures from the Electoral Commission of South Africa.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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More than 40% of South Africa's registered voters had cast ballots by 5pm in municipal elections held on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. Preliminary figures released by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) show turnout threatens to weaken the ANC and reshape coalitions governing the country's biggest cities.
Why it matters
Municipal results will determine who governs the country's largest cities, and voters said their ballots were an opportunity to influence communities struggling with unemployment, crime, poor roads, water shortages and failing municipal services.
Preliminary figures from the Electoral Commission of South Africa show about 12 million voters had cast ballots by 5pm, up from about 3.5 million by 10am. Gauteng recorded about 3 million votes, KwaZulu-Natal about 2.5 million and the Western Cape about 1.5 million, while final results remained unknown with three hours of voting left at 5pm.
The players
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)
The IEC is the independent body responsible for managing and certifying elections in South Africa, and it released the preliminary turnout figures.
Cyril Ramaphosa
Cyril Ramaphosa is the President of South Africa and leader of the ANC, which faces possible losses in the municipal polls.
The details
Voters in Hammanskraal, Midrand, Johannesburg and the Vaal went to the polls on Wednesday, with turnout concentrated in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Voters told reporters they hoped their ballots would address unemployment, crime, poor roads, water shortages and failing municipal services.
Timeline
4 November 2026: Municipal elections held across South Africa.
4 November 2026, 10am: About 3.5 million voters had cast ballots.
4 November 2026, 5pm: About 12 million voters had cast ballots, with three hours of voting remaining.
Political Context
South Africa's 2021 local government elections set the baseline for ANC support in the metros, and the 2026 turnout will show whether that support has eroded. Analysts will watch whether coalition arrangements in the largest cities shift, as they did after earlier municipal polls.
Municipal election outcomes will determine which parties run local councils that manage water supply, roads and policing in the country's biggest cities. Residents in those areas will feel the effects through the services those councils deliver.
The takeaway
Voter participation in local elections directly shapes the services residents receive, so following results in your own municipality can clarify who is accountable for them.
Further reading
Explore more on civic engagement to see how voters across the country participate in local decision-making.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sowetan.
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