RC 261104702Clement Manyathela
Wednesday, 4 November 2026
Voting-day coverage from Alex was dominated by long queues, a reported ballot-paper shortage in Highlands North, and early signs of high suburban turnout, with coalition talks due within 14 days.
- 10:46
Parties have only 14 days to form councils and coalitions after the vote, because a bill to extend that to 30 days was delayed and never implemented, analyst Michael Atkins says.
- 10:20
In the 2021 local elections the ANC won 58% of the vote in Polokwane against the EFF's 22%, and the EFF hopes the ANC will drop below 50% this time.
- 09:53
SAPS said no major incidents had been picked up by mid-morning: only Electoral Act contraventions and one assault case, with no protests reported and gatherings prohibited on voting day.
- 10:36
Voters at Summerwood School in Highlands North said they had waited over an hour after three voting stations reportedly ran out of ballot papers before 10am.
- 11:34
Campaigning is strictly prohibited inside voting stations, including displaying party posters, billboards or pamphlets, but there is no blanket ban on political activity outside them.