IEC warns political parties to stop campaigning at midnight ahead of polling day - TimesLIVE

Political parties, independent candidates and their supporters have until midnight on Tuesday to campaign ahead of the 2026 local government elections, with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) warning that all campaigning must stop before voters head to the polls on Wednesday.

IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya reminded political parties and candidates that the electoral timetable prohibits campaigning after midnight, including door-to-door canvassing, demonstrations and rallies.

Speaking ahead of polling day, Moepya said the restrictions were intended to protect voters from intimidation and interference while allowing them to make their choices freely.

“These measures are intended to provide voters with the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to choose freely without intimidation and interference. Therefore, campaigning, canvassing, door-to-door campaigns, demonstrations or rallies for these elections will no longer be allowed after midnight,” he said.

He also warned parties and candidates to observe regulations governing political activity in and around voting stations.

With voting stations set to open at 7am on Wednesday, Moepya outlined several rules voters and political stakeholders must follow to protect the secrecy and integrity of the voting process.

Moepya said voters must present a valid South African identity document, which may be a green barcoded ID book, smart ID card or temporary identity certificate.

The secrecy of every vote is a fundamental principle of South Africa’s democracy and must always be protected.

He also said ballot papers must be marked in secret inside designated voting booths and that taking photographs of completed or marked ballot papers is strictly prohibited.

“The secrecy of every vote is a fundamental principle of South Africa’s democracy and must always be protected,” he said.

Moepya said party regalia, campaign materials, canvassing and attempts to influence voters inside or in the immediate vicinity of voting stations were prohibited.

However, he clarified that voters would not be prohibited from wearing political party shirts or colours.

Party agents, on the other hand, are subject to the restrictions on party regalia.

He also warned against intimidation, obstruction or interference with voters and election officials.

“No person may enter a voting station carrying dangerous weapons or engage in conduct that may disrupt voting operations tomorrow,” Moepya said.

The IEC urged the public to use social media responsibly and to verify election-related information through official channels before sharing it, warning that false or misleading information could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

Moepya reiterated that voters could only cast their ballots at the voting station where their names appeared on the voters’ roll.

He encouraged registered voters to verify their registration details and voting station information before leaving home to avoid unnecessary delays.

The commission also encouraged voters to check their sequence numbers on the voters’ roll, saying this would help election officials locate them more quickly.

“We do not wish to see people standing in long queues unnecessarily. We have taken these measures to ensure that there is a war on long queues tomorrow,” Moepya said.

Moepya confirmed that department of home affairs offices would remain open nationwide throughout election day to assist voters who needed identity documents.

Those who had lost or misplaced their documents were encouraged to approach the department for assistance.

As the country prepares to elect its municipal representatives, Moepya called on political parties, independent candidates, observers, the media and members of the public to contribute to a peaceful election.

He said the local government elections marked 30 years of democracy in the country and called on South Africans to protect the democratic gains made since 1996.

“The commission remains committed to ensuring that every eligible voter is afforded the opportunity to cast their ballots in a free, fair, credible and peaceful electoral process. We call for tolerance, we call for peace and we appeal to every one of the registered voters to come out tomorrow, your democracy and indeed your country needs you. We ask you to get up, to show up, and to vote tomorrow,” he said.

Voting stations open at 7am and close at 9pm on Wednesday.