The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against campaigning inside voting stations during Wednesday’s local government elections, saying anyone who contravenes the law faces a fine or imprisonment of up to five years.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, 4 November, the commission clarified the legal restrictions governing political campaigning on Election Day, emphasising that voting stations must remain free from activities that could influence voters.

Voting stations opened at 7am and are scheduled to close at 9pm. However, voters who are within the boundaries of voting stations when they close will still be allowed to cast their ballots.

The IEC said campaigning within the demarcated boundaries of voting stations was prohibited, including displaying or distributing political party posters, billboards, placards and pamphlets.

Political parties and their supporters are also prohibited from attempting to persuade or influence anyone to vote for or against a particular party, or to discourage people from voting altogether.

“The only permissible political activity within the boundaries of voting stations is the casting of ballots,” the commission said.

The presiding officer is responsible for establishing the boundaries of each voting station in consultation with party agents.

However, the IEC clarified that there was no blanket ban on political campaigning on Election Day, provided activities took place outside the boundaries of voting stations and complied with the law.

This means political parties may continue with certain forms of low-key campaigning outside voting station boundaries.

However, political meetings, marches, demonstrations and other organised political events are prohibited outside voting stations on Election Day.

The commission said the legal framework was intended to strike a balance between protecting voters’ freedom to make their choices without intimidation or undue influence while allowing limited political activity to continue.

Anyone found guilty of contravening the provisions could face a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years.

The warning comes as political parties compete for votes in the local government elections, with campaigning and voter mobilisation efforts continuing across the country.

The IEC has called on political parties, candidates, supporters and voters to respect the rules and ensure that the electoral process proceeds without interference.

Meanwhile, the commission has encouraged voters to make their way to voting stations early and verify their registration details before leaving home to avoid unnecessary delays.

Voters can check their registration details by sending their identity numbers via WhatsApp to 0600 88 0000 or by SMS to 32810, at a cost of R1 per message.

They can also contact the IEC call centre on 0800 11 8000 or visit the commission’s website at www.elections.org.za.

The commission said voters would receive the name of their registered voting station and their sequence number on the voters’ roll when checking their details.

The IEC urged South Africans to participate in the elections, reminding them that their votes would help determine the leadership and direction of their municipalities for the next five years.

Under its Election Day campaign message, the commission called on registered voters to participate in the democratic process: “Get Up. Show Up. Vote 4 November 2026!”