National, Provincial and Municipal Elections
In National and Provincial Elections, you vote for a political party (Proportional Representative or PR electoral system) to get seats in the national or provincial legislatures.
In Municipal Elections, you vote for a political party and a ward councillor (a mixed system of PR and a ward constituency system) to get seats at the municipal level.
National and Provincial Elections
National and provincial elections take place every 5 years, starting in 1994. Once the election date is announced by the government, the date is added to their online calendar and they publish an election timetable.
Municipal By-Elections
Municipal by-elections take place within 90 days after a municipal ward council seat becomes vacant due to death, expulsion or resignation of a ward councillor.
Once the election date is announced, the date is added to the IEC’s online calendar and they publish an election timetable.
Municipal Elections: Frequently asked questions
If you live in a metropolitan area (e.g. Johannesburg), you’ll receive 2 ballots: 1 for a ward councillor and 1 for a party. If you live in a local council with wards (e.g. Standerton municipality), you’ll receive 3 ballots: 1 for a ward councillor for the Local Council; 1 for a party for the Local Council; and 1 for a party for the District Council.
I’m a registered voter, but I no longer live in South Africa. Can I still vote in municipal elections?
No, during municipal elections you can only vote in the voting district in which you are registered. However, you can vote during national elections by casting a special vote.
