The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has cleared up confusion around what political activities are allowed on voting day, stressing that while campaigning inside voting stations is banned, parties can still campaign outside these areas.

South Africans cast their votes today in the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The commission says parties and their supporters cannot display or hand out billboards, posters, placards or pamphlets within voting station boundaries. They also cannot try to influence or persuade voters to vote for a particular party or discourage them from voting at all.

“The only permissible political activity within the boundaries of voting stations is the casting of ballots,” the IEC said in a statement.

However, the electoral body made clear that political activity can continue outside voting station boundaries. The law only prohibits certain forms of campaigning such as political meetings, marches, demonstrations or other organised public events.

“In general, the law does not enforce campaign silence on election day,” the commission said.

Anyone who breaks these rules faces serious consequences, including fines or up to five years in prison.

The IEC has urged all political parties, candidates, supporters and voters to respect these rules to ensure a smooth and fair election process.

“These provisions are intended to ensure that voters can freely exercise their right to vote on the one hand whilst on the other hand allowing low key campaigning to continue without organised public events,” the commission explained.

Voting stations will close at 21:00, but voters already within the boundaries of voting stations at closing time will still receive assistance to cast their ballots.

ALSO READ: ELECTIONS 2026 | Special voting hit by major snags as South Africa heads for polls