Minister sets date for South Africa’s 2021 local government elections

On 20 September 2021, the Minister of COGTA gazetted 1 November 2021 as the date on which Local Government Elections will take place.  This will be the sixth Local Government Election held in democratic South Africa.

The Minister gazetted the date of the upcoming election in terms of section 159 of the Constitution, read with section 24(2) of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998.  These provisions prescribe that elections should be held 90 days after the end of a five-year local government term.  The gazetting of the date allows the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to seal the voter’s roll and continue with preparations for election day.

The Minister has urged all candidates to campaign responsibly in line with COVID-19 regulations, and called on South Africans to ensure a “peaceful, credible, free and fair municipal election.”

The Minister’s press release can be accessed here.

The government gazette can be accessed here.

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