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Frequently Asked Questions: Elections

General

Frequently asked question about elections in general

Q: What is the difference between national/provincial elections and municipal elections?
A: In National and Provincial Elections, you vote for a political party (Proportional Representative or PR electoral system) to get seats in the national or provincial legislatures. In Municipal Elections, you vote for a political party and a ward councillor (a mixed system of PR and a ward constituency system) to get seats at the municipal level.

Municipal By-Elections

Frequently asked questions about municipal by-elections

Q: When are the next municipal by-elections taking place?
A: Municipal by-elections take place within 90 days after a municipal ward council seat becomes vacant due to death, expulsion or resignation of a ward councillor. Once the election date is announced, we add the date to our online calendar and we publish an election timetable.

Municipal Elections

Frequently asked questions about municipal elections

Q: How many ballot papers will I get?
A: If you live in a metropolitan area (e.g. Johannesburg), you'll receive 2 ballots: 1 for a ward councillor and 1 for a party. If you live in a local council with wards (e.g. Standerton municipality), you'll receive 3 ballots: 1 for a ward councillor for the Local Council; 1 for a party for the Local Council; and 1 for a party for the District Council.
Q: I'm a registered voter, but I no longer live in South Africa. Can I still vote in municipal elections?
A: No, during municipal elections you can only vote in the voting district in which you are registered. However, you can vote during national elections (see special votes).

National and Provincial

Frequently asked questions about national and provincial elections

Q: When are the next national and provincial elections taking place?
A: National and provincial elections take place every 5 years, starting in 1994. Once the election date is announced by the government, we add the date to our online calendar and we publish an election timetable.