LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: Joburg’s electoral map rewritten as population shifts reshape wards

Johannesburg residents may see changes in their electoral wards due to one of the city's biggest electoral redraws in recent years. The Municipal Demarcation Board announced changes to the electoral map, affecting almost every ward in the city as population growth in the northern suburbs, shifting voter patterns in Soweto, and the expansion of informal settlements necessitate a political rebalancing before the 2026 local government elections.

The Municipal Demarcation Board explained that ward boundaries were determined using a statutory formula based on the number of registered voters in the city. Johannesburg's total registered voter population was divided by its 135 maximum wards to determine an average voter norm. Any ward deviating by more than 15% above or below that figure had to be adjusted.

Some northern wards, such as Fourways, Midrand, and Diepsloot, saw their voter numbers exceed the maximum threshold, triggering the redistribution of voters from neighboring wards to restore balance. Similarly, several established Soweto wards fell below the minimum voter threshold, necessitating changes to incorporate additional voters and maintain balanced representation.

The board denied suggestions that the process was politically motivated, stating that it is an independent and apolitical organization committed to ensuring fair, credible, and unbiased outcomes. While the redraw is primarily a technical exercise, political parties have raised concerns about the changes. For example, in Lenasia South, wards 9, 120, and 122 are expected to undergo adjustments, with residents and councillors alleging that informal settlement communities were moved between wards despite objections from residents and councillors.

Additionally, Ward 117 – Blairgowrie, Dunkeld, and Craighall Park – saw boundaries altered to accommodate more voters to comply with electoral requirements.