Ramaphosa declares local government election day a public holiday
Ramaphosa has urged employers to make provision for employees to exercise their right to vote.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on September 15, 2026, that the local government elections scheduled for November 4, 2026, will be observed as a public holiday nationwide. The Presidency conveyed this decision in an official statement. Ramaphosa encouraged all registered voters to take advantage of the public holiday to fulfill their democratic responsibility and participate in the electoral process.
It's important to note that voters can only vote at their designated polling stations. Traveling voters are not permitted to cast their ballots at polling stations outside their registered wards. Ramaphosa further urged businesses to accommodate their employees by allowing time off to vote on November 4, 2026. In accordance with Section 2A of the Public Holidays Act of 1994, President Ramaphosa officially declared November 4, 2026 – the date for the local government elections – as a public holiday across the entire country.
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