South Africans may have only four full days left to register to vote or update their registration details before the voters’ roll closes, potentially missing their chance to influence who represents them in local government. 

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) expects the 2026 Local Government Elections to be proclaimed on Friday (August 7), officially setting in motion the countdown to voting day on November 4. The voters’ roll closes at midnight on the day the election is proclaimed. 

The IEC says that following this past weekend’s voter registration drive, the voters’ roll has surpassed 29 million.  

South Africans can still register online through the online voter registration (OVR) portal or via the commission’s newly launched WhatsApp service. 

Breaking down the statistics from the weekend, the IEC explains that 1.7 million citizens interacted with the commission, either by visiting one of the 23 699 registration stations or using the OVR portal. 

The IEC explains that the combined impact of the two voter registration weekends, held in June and August, resulted in close to 4.7 million voter interactions.  

Growth 

It adds that by comparison, 1.7 million transactions were recorded during the 2021 Local Government Elections, when only one voter registration weekend was held because of the reduced Covid-19 election timetable. 

“Collectively, the two voter registration weekends contributed 754 332 new voters, adding to the continued growth of the voters’ roll ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. Properly understood, 2.1 million new voters have been added to the voters’ roll since the last general elections in 2024,” explains the IEC.  

Breakdown of statistics 

In terms of provincial figures, KZN recorded the highest number of registration transactions at 427 592, followed by Gauteng with 314 856 and the Eastern Cape with 313 797. 

The IEC explains that registration station-based transactions remained the primary mode of registration, accounting for 1 555 318 of the total 1.7 million transactions.   
 
It adds that provincially, KZN also recorded the highest number of registration station-based transactions at 386 258, followed by the Eastern Cape with 295 655 and Gauteng with 228 364. 

“The online portal contributed 238 733 transactions over the two days. The highest usage of the OVR platform was recorded in Gauteng (86 492), followed by KZN (41 334) and the Western Cape (33 783).”  

Women and youth 

The IEC explains that of the 1.7 million transactions recorded, young people aged 16 to 29 accounted for 485 757 or 26%. New registrations by voters under the age of 29 accounted for 46% of all new registrations.  

Again, KZN recorded the highest number of registrations among young people, 137 046, followed by the Eastern Cape with 79 417 and Gauteng with 78 405.   

During the final voter registration weekend, women accounted for 1 005 790 registrations (56% of total registration activity), while men accounted for 788 261 (44%). This is consistent with the well-established trend of there being more women than men on the voters’ roll, according to the IEC. Of the 291 806 new registrations, 50% were women. 

WhatsApp 

The IEC says its new WhatsApp service allows citizens to register to vote or update their registration details. 

“The platform uses secure identity verification measures, including OTP authentication, ID document uploads, address verification and voting station confirmation, to protect the integrity of the voters’ roll.” 

Although voters can register via WhatsApp, accurate address validation remains critical to a successful registration process. “To support this, some voters may be redirected to the interactive map on the OVR platform to locate and confirm the rooftop location of their home address,” adds the IEC. 

Preparations for Election Day 

The next phase of the electoral programme will focus on the formal election timetable, which will commence once the election is proclaimed.   

“This will usher in key electoral milestones, the dates and timeframes for critical processes, including candidate nominations, certification of the voters’ roll and other activities leading up to voting day.” 

The IEC reiterates that eligible voters should not 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. Every registration strengthens South Africa’s democracy and ensures that communities have a voice in shaping the future of local government,” the IEC adds.  
 
* To register to vote, you must be a South African citizen and at least 16 years old (you can only vote from age 18). You can use your green, barcoded South African ID, smartcard ID or valid temporary identity certificate. 

You can register online via the voter portal or via WhatsApp on 0600 088 000. Should you need assistance, call 0800 11 8000 or SMS 32819. 

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.