With less than 100 days before the 2026 Local Government Elections on November 4, this weekend (August 1 and 2) is the final opportunity to register or update your details at a voting station. 

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says that following the final registration weekend, it anticipates that Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Velenkosini Hlabisa will proclaim the election date. 

The commission explains that once the date is proclaimed, the voters’ roll will close at midnight. 

This means no new voter registrations or updates to existing voter details may be processed until after the elections. The commission will also stop all registration drives and deactivate the online voter registration (OVR) portal. 
 
If you still need to register or update your details, there is one important requirement to keep in mind: You must be registered where you live, as your residential address determines the ward and municipality in which you can vote. 

Registering correctly is important because local government elections have a direct impact on everyday life. Your vote helps choose the people who make decisions about the services and issues that affect your community every day. 

Weekend readiness 

There will be 23 699 voting stations operating across the country from 08:00 to 17:00 on both days of the registration weekend. 

The commission says it has deployed 48 212 trained electoral officials to assist eligible voters. 

Home Affairs offices will also be open to ensure that eligible voters requiring identity documents have access to services. 

Code of conduct 

The commission adds that the Electoral Code of Conduct, in terms of the Municipal Electoral Act 27 of 2000, will come into effect once the election date is proclaimed and remain in effect until the election results are announced. 

“The purpose of the code is to foster conditions for free and fair elections by creating a climate of tolerance, open public debate and free political campaigning,” explains the commission. 

Registration statistics 

During the first voter registration weekend in June, the commission recorded more than three million registration transactions and, to date, there have been more than 815 000 online voter registration transactions. 

“Of these, approximately 603 572 (74%) were processed through the OVR portal. The highest levels of online registration activity were recorded in Gauteng, KZN and the Western Cape.” 

The commission says women remain the leading users of the online registration platform, accounting for 61% of all online registration activity. 

“Young people are also embracing digital registration in significant numbers, with the 16–29 age cohort contributing 50% of all online transactions,” it adds. 

Data-free portal active 

The commission urges South Africans to use its 24-hour data-free OVR portal to register, check their registration status, confirm their voting station, or update their details. 

While the upcoming registration weekend is the final in-person opportunity to register or update voter details, the online service will remain active until the election date is officially proclaimed. 
 
However, the commission advises South Africans not to wait until the last minute to register or update their details.   
 
“Experience has shown that a surge in registration activity often occurs closer to key deadlines, creating avoidable pressure on registration channels.” 

* To register to vote, you must be a South African citizen and at least 16 years old (you can only vote from age 18). Take along your green, barcoded South African ID, smartcard ID or valid temporary identity certificate.  

You can register online via the voter portal. Should you need assistance, call 0800 11 8000. 

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.