Pretoria:Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli has urged young people and all eligible voters to participate actively in the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections.

According to South African Government News Agency, Mhlauli emphasized the importance of young voters exercising their democratic right to vote and shaping decisions impacting their communities. Special voting is currently underway, allowing registered voters unable to vote in person due to physical or other constraints to cast their ballots on Monday and Tuesday.

Mhlauli also reminded eligible voters to prepare for the main voting day on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, and highlighted the importance of ongoing engagement in democratic processes beyond the elections. She encouraged young people to attend ward and council meetings and participate in municipal-level platforms.

The Deputy Minister stressed the significance of participating in elections to influence community futures and ensure representation in local governance. She cautioned against opting out of democratic processes, which could result in important decisions being made without considering the needs of young people and other societal groups.

Voters are reminded that they can only vote at their registered voting stations and are encouraged to verify their station details in advance. This can be done by sending their ID number via WhatsApp or SMS to receive their voting station's name and roll sequence number, which facilitates a smoother voting process.

Source South African Government News Agency