In short: South Africa holds national and provincial elections every five years and local government elections in between, all run by the Electoral Commission (IEC). Voters choose parties rather than a president: the National Assembly then elects the President.
Three kinds of election
| Election | What is elected | Cycle |
|---|---|---|
| National | 400-member National Assembly | Every five years |
| Provincial | Nine provincial legislatures | Same day as national |
| Local government | Municipal councils | Every five years, in between |
National and provincial seats are allocated by proportional representation, so a party's share of the vote translates closely into its share of seats. Local elections mix ward candidates and party lists.
The 2024 turning point
In the national election of 29 May 2024, the ANC lost its outright majority for the first time since 1994 and formed a Government of National Unity with other parties. Coalition maths has since become central to South African politics, at both national and municipal level.
elections.org.za and election day
The IEC's site, elections.org.za, is the official source for:
- checking your voter registration;
- finding your voting station;
- election timetables;
- live and final results.
National election day is a public holiday. Results are counted at each voting station and published progressively, so early numbers can shift as more districts report.
How prediction markets price South African elections
A prediction market can list questions such as "Will party X win more than 40% of the vote?" or "Who will lead the next coalition?". A price of 0.40 means about a 40% chance. Because seats are proportional, vote-share markets are often more informative than "who wins" markets. Our guide to polls vs prediction markets explains how the two signals differ.
Before trading, read the resolution source of each market: official IEC results are the usual reference, and coalition outcomes can take weeks to settle.
Using prediction markets responsibly
Check where Polymarket is available before signing up, follow official IEC results rather than rumours, and only risk money you can afford to lose.
Next step
Want to try it yourself? Follow our guide on how to sign up for Polymarket, then see how to deposit and how to place your first trade. Start small and only use money you can afford to lose. Check where Polymarket is available before you begin.