By OBAKENG MAJE

29 October 2026 – The North West Provincial Government says it is ready to coordinate preparations and provide support for the 2026 Local Government Elections scheduled for Wednesday, 4 November, with special voting set for 2 and 3 November 2026. North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi, made the announcement during a media briefing at the Provincial Disaster Management Centre in Mahikeng on 29 October 2026.

Molapisi said the provincial government was working with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the South African Police Service (SAPS), municipalities, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to ensure peaceful, safe and orderly elections.

“The North West Provincial Government is committed to supporting a peaceful, safe, and well-coordinated electoral process while ensuring that municipal services continue uninterrupted and that the transition to the new council term is managed responsibly.

The province has 1,730 voting stations and 202 sub-stations. Molapisi urged residents to use the IEC’s platforms to confirm their voting stations before election day,” he said.

Molapisi further said the department had witnessed political parties signing the electoral code of conduct in Mahikeng on 7 October 2026 and expected all parties to respect the code and contribute towards free and fair elections. He added that the IEC had also launched its Results Operation Centre as part of preparations for the elections.

Molapisi emphasised that credible elections required careful planning, effective coordination and sound administration, while ensuring that essential municipal services continued without interruption.

Municipal services must continue

The MEC said outgoing municipal councils were expected to fulfil their legal responsibilities until the end of their terms but should exercise restraint on decisions that could place unnecessary obligations on incoming administrations.

These include major restructuring, significant borrowing, asset disposals and substantial procurement commitments.

He said municipalities must continue providing essential services, including water, sanitation, electricity where applicable, waste removal and road maintenance, throughout the election period.

Municipalities were also expected to maintain business continuity, ensure that Auditor-General South Africa audit processes continued uninterrupted and assist the IEC with voting venues and related logistical requirements.

Molapisi said municipalities must prepare comprehensive handover reports covering their financial positions, governance, service delivery, infrastructure, litigation, audit matters, staffing capacity and outstanding commitments.

The department has also issued circulars to guide municipalities through the transitional period, including a moratorium on filling vacant municipal posts to strengthen oversight and prevent decisions that could constrain incoming councils.

Disaster management and safety

The Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) will coordinate disaster-risk reduction, emergency preparedness and response before, during and after the elections.

Molapisi said the centre had developed a Provincial Multi-Hazard Contingency Plan, which had been shared with the National Disaster Management Centre for consolidation alongside sector and district contingency plans.

Preparations include identifying high-risk areas and vulnerable communities, assessing access routes to voting stations, confirming emergency response plans and preparing for potential storms, floods, fires and power interruptions.

During the elections, the PDMC will monitor incidents affecting public safety, access to voting stations and the continuity of essential services.

It will also coordinate emergency support, evacuations where necessary and the mobilisation of resources when municipal capacity is exceeded.

Molapisi clarified that the PDMC and municipal disaster management centres would not administer the elections, as this responsibility rests with the IEC.

Security arrangements will be coordinated by SAPS through the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure and district-level joint operational structures.

He urged communities to remain vigilant against misinformation and disinformation that could undermine confidence in the electoral process.

New councils to be established after elections

Following the elections and the finalisation of electoral processes, municipalities will be expected to establish their new councils within the prescribed timeframes.

Molapisi said the first council meetings must be convened within 14 days after the elections are declared to elect municipal office-bearers and formally begin the new council term.

The department, together with Provincial Treasury and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), will support the process.

Newly elected councillors will undergo compulsory induction covering governance, financial oversight, accountability and ethics. SALGA’s training programme is scheduled to be rolled out in January 2027, with support from Provincial Treasury.

Municipalities will also be required to establish ward committees in accordance with legislation to strengthen community participation and communication between residents and their elected representatives.

Molapisi said the provincial government would continue monitoring and supporting municipalities during the transition to strengthen governance, legal compliance, institutional capacity and service delivery.

He called on municipalities, political parties, traditional leaders, community organisations and residents to work together to promote peace, tolerance and respect for democratic processes.

“The 2026 Local Government Elections are a critical test of our democratic maturity,” he said.

Molapisi expressed confidence that the coordination between the PDMC, SAPS, IEC and other stakeholders would help ensure a smooth electoral process and an orderly transition to the new council term.

He encouraged eligible voters to participate in the elections and hold their elected representatives accountable after the new councils are constituted.

“Let us work towards peaceful elections, accountable municipalities, and improved service delivery for our communities,” Molapisi said.

He concluded with the message: “Your Municipality. Your Future. Your Vote.”

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