COSATU Welcomes South Africa's Local Elections
The federation praised the local government elections as free and fair while pushing for longer voting hours and a non-trading election day.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Civic Engagement
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The Congress of South African Trade Unions welcomed the successful holding of South Africa's 7th democratic local government elections. The federation noted that only half of eligible voters are registered and only half of registered voters cast their ballots.
Why it matters
Low registration and turnout point to a significant gap between eligible citizens and the democratic process at the local level. Most municipalities do not have a majority party, making coalition arrangements central to how local government is formed.
Half of eligible voters are registered and half of registered voters cast ballots in the 7th democratic local government elections. The source does not give comparative figures from previous elections or detail the reasons behind the turnout levels.
The players
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU)
COSATU is South Africa's largest trade union federation and a key ally of the African National Congress within the tripartite alliance.
African National Congress (ANC)
The ANC is South Africa's governing party since the end of apartheid in 1994 and the country's dominant political force.
South African Communist Party (SACP)
The SACP is a long-standing ally of the ANC within the tripartite alliance and is a left-wing political party in South Africa.
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
The IEC is South Africa's body responsible for managing and supervising national and local elections.
The details
COSATU said the elections were supported by the Independent Electoral Commission, Home Affairs, the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force. The federation will table formal proposals to government and Parliament on extending early and election day voting hours and declaring election day a non-trading holiday.
Timeline
The 7th democratic local government elections were held, deemed free and fair.
COSATU's 15th National Congress adopted a Super Resolution supporting the ANC and SACP.
Political Context
COSATU's Super Resolution backing the ANC and SACP in local coalitions reflects the long-standing tripartite alliance between these organisations. The federation also opposes coalitions that include right-wing parties, a position that shapes how local government arrangements may be formed.
If the proposed reforms are adopted, voters could have longer hours to cast ballots and election day could become a non-trading holiday. The source does not specify when or whether these changes would take effect.
The takeaway
Low registration and turnout show that participation in local government remains a challenge even after free and fair elections. Citizens who want to influence local coalitions and reforms can track proposals to extend voting hours and make election day a holiday.
What happens next
COSATU will table formal proposals to government and Parliament on extending voting hours and declaring election day a non-trading holiday, though no dates for these proposals are specified.
Further reading
Explore more on civic engagement in South Africa's democratic process.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mediadon.
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