Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa says South Africa is ready for the 4 November local government elections, declaring "all systems go" a week before voting.

Hlabisa, who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the elections, said the Electoral Commission still has 6.6 million extra ballot papers to print, with printing due to finish on 30 October. The account below rests on his remarks as reported and has not been independently confirmed.

Ballots and candidates

The extra ballots follow a Constitutional Court ruling that ordered 181 ANC candidates back onto the ballot, according to Hlabisa's account as reported. The Electoral Commission later extended the same relief to 32 other political parties in similar situations. The changes affect 107 municipalities.

"All is under control," Hlabisa said. He said he had spoken to the commission's chairperson about readiness. The commission runs the operational side of the poll, including logistics, ballot printing and voting management.

The printing deadline adds pressure to a schedule that already includes special voting, staff recruitment and the distribution of election materials.

Water, heat and exams at voting stations

Hlabisa said municipalities must make sure voting stations have water. "The municipalities have an obligation to ensure that all voting stations, schools, have water," he said. Where schools lack water containers, municipalities must arrange tankers.

High temperatures are expected on the voting days, and water shortages could also cause sanitation problems at stations that rely on flush toilets. Shortages have been reported in Bronkhorstspruit and parts of the Eastern Cape, and disaster management officials are expected to assess the affected areas, according to the account. Hlabisa encouraged voters in communities with supply disruptions to bring their own drinking water.

Schools used as voting stations will not hold exams on 4 November. "This is an opportunity you should not miss," Hlabisa told voters.

Key dates

  • 30 October: the Electoral Commission expects to finish printing the extra ballot papers.
  • 2 and 3 November: special voting.
  • 4 November: general voting day.