Hlabisa confirms consultations underway to set local government election date

Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has announced that consultations are underway to determine and proclaim the date for the upcoming Local Government Elections.

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) holds the sole prerogative of determining the date for local government elections, in consultation with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and other relevant government departments.

Hlabisa made this statement while speaking at an event in Centurion, where the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) officially handed over the new boundary lines for wards and municipalities across the country.

The Minister emphasised that the finalisation of these new boundary lines is a critical step in the overall preparation for the local government elections.

Minister Hlabisa confirmed the legislative window for the polls:
"The current term (political term for local councils) expires on 1 November 2026. Elections, therefore, must be held between 2 November 2026 and 30 January 2027. Our consultations with the IEC are already underway, and we will proclaim a date that safeguards stability."