South Africa: Human rights must be respected, protected and fulfilled before, during and after the local government elections

Regardless of the outcome of this week’s local government elections, human rights must be respected, protected and fulfilled before, during and after the vote, Amnesty International South Africa said ahead of the opening of the polls on Wednesday. 

“Whoever governs the country’s municipalities must uphold South Africa’s Constitution and international human rights obligations,” Amnesty International South Africa Executive Director Shenilla Mohamed said. 

“For millions of South Africans, the promise of dignity and a better life remains unfulfilled. A household without running water, an unsafe toilet, or a home vulnerable to extreme weather conditions are not just service delivery failures, they directly impact people’s health, safety, and dignity.” 

Amnesty International South Africa has continuously called on the national and local government to effectively address human rights violations and access to basic services for all living in South Africa. The incoming administrations, no matter who they are, need to prioritise human rights and address the need for basic services. 

This would include: 

• Protecting basic human rights including prioritising access to safe water, sanitation and other essential services such as access to adequate housing and disaster risk reduction.
• Ensure transparency and accountability to track progress alongside commitments made in the run up to elections. 
• Combat corruption, which impacts on the delivery of basic services and human rights. 
• Promote meaningful community participation. 

Vote for Human Rights

Citizens also need to tap into their people-power, exercise their civic responsibility and hold elected officials accountable. They must use their vote to advocate for a local government that delivers on human rights and improves their lives and those of their community.

This year Amnesty International South Africa is encouraging citizens to critically engage with the plans of political parties and candidates and consider human rights when they make their mark on 4 November 2026. High levels of dissatisfaction with service delivery and visible failures in many municipalities make these elections a critical moment of accountability. 

“Voters must send a strong message to elected officials that corruption and poor service delivery will no longer be tolerated, and all elected officials must be held accountable. Municipal officials manage the budgets and set the priorities that determine how rights are delivered. We need to change the face of service delivery from one of corruption and mismanagement with no consequence to one of efficiency and accountability,” Shenilla Mohamed said.

This election is an opportunity to demand accountability, and vote for a country where human rights come first.

 Voting day

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), all political parties, candidates and authorities must ensure that these elections are conducted without intimidation and that the human rights of every eligible voter are fully protected.

“These elections must be conducted in an environment where voters can participate without fear and where political difference does not turn into intimidation or violence,” Shenilla Mohamed said.

Background

South Africa is holding its sixth local government election on 4 November 2026. 

Amnesty International is non-partisan and does not endorse any political party or candidate. Our aim is to inspire people to make informed decisions based on the state of human rights in South Africa, and to vote with purpose.

You will find the pledge to vote for human rights here.