More than two million voters are eligible to cast ballots early as the ANC faces scrutiny over municipal services, corruption and political violence.

South Africa began early voting on Monday ahead of Wednesday’s local elections, with more than two million voters authorized to cast ballots in advance as the governing African National Congress (ANC) faces a crucial test of public confidence in municipal governance.

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The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) authorized 678,525 voters to cast ballots through home visits because of health conditions or disabilities, while another 1,976,542 were cleared to vote early at their registered polling stations.

The country has more than 29 million registered voters, according to the electoral commission.

IEC chief executive Sy Mamabolo confirmed that preparations were underway in Midrand, near Johannesburg, with 127,000 election workers deployed across the country to oversee the process.

Wednesday’s vote will determine the composition of municipal councils responsible for essential public services, including water, electricity, waste collection and community development planning.

President Cyril Ramaphosa declared election day a national public holiday to encourage participation and urged voters to exercise their rights peacefully and safely.

In his weekly letter to the nation, Ramaphosa warned against violence and intimidation during the campaign and voting period.

The elections will see 546 political parties and nearly 137,000 candidates compete for seats across eight metropolitan municipalities, 44 district municipalities and 205 local municipalities.

The campaign has unfolded amid concerns over corruption, political violence and competition for public resources. The independent Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC) documented at least 43 politically motivated killings in South Africa so far this year.

The elections also come amid months of xenophobic tensions, with violent demonstrations and unrest involving migrants and anti-immigration groups.

Political violence and public confidence

The vote represents a significant test for the ANC, which has faced mounting criticism over municipal administration and the delivery of public services.

The party suffered a historic setback in the 2021 local elections, receiving less than 50% of the vote for the first time since South Africa’s transition to democracy.

Ramaphosa has acknowledged that shortcomings in municipal governance have weakened public confidence in democratic institutions, describing the elections as an opportunity to improve local administration and promote development.

The ANC’s electoral position has also weakened nationally. In the 2024 general election, it lost its parliamentary majority for the first time and was forced to form a coalition government with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and smaller parties.

The municipal elections will provide another measure of support for Ramaphosa’s party as voters assess local government performance and the delivery of essential services. The results will also offer an indication of how the ANC is faring after losing its national majority in 2024.

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