Local Elections 2016 Date Proclaimed for August

If you’re a South African living abroad and you’re registered to vote in this year’s municipal elections, book your tickets home for early August! Local elections will take place on 3 August 2016.

The date was proclaimed yesterday by Minister Des van Rooyen (who was famously appointed as Minister of Finance by President Zuma for a couple of days before being replaced).

Van Rooyen, now minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), said: “I encourage all eligible voters to help strengthen our democracy by voting in the coming local government election scheduled for 3 August 2016.”

As the date has now been proclaimed, the voters’ roll is now closed (as of 17h00 yesterday).

The Ministry said: “We are encouraged that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) holds an untarnished reputation having hosted a number of successful national, provincial and local government elections, since 1994.”

Van Rooyen said he was “therefore delighted to hand over the baton to the IEC as it prepares to deliver yet another successful election.”

He thanked all voters who registered, verified their details and provided addresses or sufficient particularities to ensure that they are eligible to vote on 3 August 2016.