Pretoria:The Electoral Commission (IEC) has clarified the rules surrounding political activities on the day of the 2026 Local Government Elections in South Africa. While campaigning within the boundaries of voting stations is strictly prohibited, political activities outside these boundaries are allowed under certain conditions.
According to South African Government News Agency, the IEC stated that actions such as displaying or distributing party materials, and attempting to influence voters within voting station boundaries, are not allowed. However, political activities can occur outside these boundaries, provided they do not include organized events like meetings or marches, as these are prohibited.
The IEC emphasized that violating these provisions could result in severe penalties, including fines or imprisonment for up to five years. The Commission called on all parties and voters to adhere to these rules to ensure a fair election process. The provisions aim to allow voters to exercise their rights freely while permitting low-key campaigning outside the voting stations.
Voters are encouraged to verify their registration details through various channels, including WhatsApp, SMS, phone, and the IEC's website. Voting stations opened at 07h00 and will remain operational until 21h00, with assistance available for voters who are within the boundaries at closing time.
