Midrand: The Electoral Commission has officially launched the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE), marking the commencement of the mass awareness campaign towards Election Day in November. This initiative follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement of 4 November 2026 as the date for South Africa's upcoming Local Government Elections. According to South African Government News Agency, the launch held on Wednesday set the stage for political parties and voters to begin preparations for the polls. The Commission has planned a national campaign across multiple platforms, including television, radio, digital, and social media, to ensure broad reach and accessibility. Speaking at the event in Midrand, near Johannesburg, the Commission's Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo highlighted the significance of the 2026 elections as the 6th instalment since the dawn of democracy in 1994, emphasizing the clarity and certainty provided by the announced election date. Mamabolo also noted that the launch is a practica l manifestation of that certainty, ensuring that plans are firmly in place for delivering an election that meets constitutional standards. On 1 April 2026, the Commission unveiled the elections logo and media campaign under the tagline, 'Get Up, Show Up, Vote,' aimed at motivating eligible voters, especially the youth, to participate in the electoral process. According to Mamabolo, the launch marks the beginning of intensified public awareness ahead of the national voter registration weekend on 20 and 21 June 2026. Nearly 24,000 registration stations across 4,488 municipal wards will be open for citizens to register, verify personal details, and ensure correct registration. The Department of Home Affairs is also facilitating citizens' applications for identity documents, a prerequisite for voter registration. The Commission has deployed over 800 Municipal Outreach Coordinators nationwide, including individuals with disabilities, to drive voter education and awareness. Since the beginning of 2026, more than 62,336 community events have been conducted nationwide, supporting sustained voter education and public engagement. A targeted door-to-door voter communication and registration campaign was completed across 99% of municipalities between 11 and 24 May 2026. The campaign also informed citizens of recent Municipal Demarcation Board changes to certain ward boundaries and the revision of some voting districts. The Tertiary Institutions Campaign reached 97,894 students, with 45,757 successfully registered, promoting youth participation. The Schools Democracy Programme, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, continues to educate learners on democratic principles and encourage pre-registration for eligible learners aged 16 and older. Regarding combating disinformation, Mamabolo stated that the Electoral Commission recognizes the dual nature of social media. The Commission's collaboration with civil society and the Real411 platform has mitigated disinformation. A draft Code of Conduct on Misinformati on will be issued for public comment, aiming to safeguard against fraudulent content during the elections. The online registration portal has improved the accuracy of the voters' roll, with 376,140 new registrations recorded between January and May 2026. The total number of registered voters stands at 27,912,415, surpassing figures from the 2024 general elections. Despite an average monthly loss of 34,000 voters due to mortality, the Commission's efforts have been successful. Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Inkosi Velenkosini Hlabisa expressed confidence that more young people will register and participate in the elections. To encourage youth participation, the Commission introduced 'Beats for My Peeps,' a series in partnership with the SABC that uses music, culture, and digital creators to address voter apathy and promote participation. The series will air on SABC1 from 3 June 2026. Additionally, the IEC Podcast, launched in April 2026, provides real-time information via mobile and digital platforms.