Announcement of South African Local Government Election date

On 21 April 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Wednesday, 27 October 2021, as the date on which the Local Government Elections will take place. Through these elections, voters will elect leadership and public representatives at the metropolitan, district and local level. The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is expected to follow the necessary legal process to proclaim the date.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), acknowledging the announcement, has cautioned that these elections will be among the “most challenging yet” as campaigning and mobilising citizens, and conducting registration and elections in-person as required by our legal framework presents unique challenges under COVID-19 conditions. Despite the challenges, the IEC remains confident that with the support and cooperation of all political parties, candidates, state departments and agencies, civil society, business and labour organisations, traditional leaders, religious and cultural organisations, the media and tens of millions of voters and citizens that South Africa’s democratic journey of the past 27 years will remain on track.

Please note: The information contained in this note is for general guidance on matters of interest, and does not constitute legal advice. For any enquiries, please contact us at [email protected].