POLOKWANE – Polokwane recorded 21 604 new voter registration transactions during the August 1-2 weekend, the second and final weekend for in-person registration, accounting for 10.31% of Limpopo’s total of 209 516 interactions. Online registrations remain open but will also close at midnight tonight.

This is according to Simon Thobakgale of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in Limpopo, who said residents must ensure their “to-do list” this Friday includes confirming they are registered to vote – a reminder that comes as the voters’ roll prepares to close at midnight.

Comparing June and August turnout

During the first registration weekend, on June 1-2, 4 228 new voters registered in person. Digital registration, however, remained available at any point in between – meaning the August weekend’s turnout marks a sharp increase in in-person registration activity compared to June.

Voters’ roll set to close tonight

This comes after the Minister of Cooperative Governance, Velenkosi Hlabisa, proclaimed the election date of November 4 earlier today (August 7), meaning the voters’ roll will close, giving citizens only a few hours to register before midnight.

The proclamation of an election in South Africa is the formal publication of the official election date in the Government Gazette, which serves as the legal trigger for the electoral process to begin.

While President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the date beforehand to allow for planning, that announcement carries no legal weight until the official proclamation is signed and gazetted.

IEC to release official election timetable

IEC Chairperson Mosotho Moepya will hold a media briefing this afternoon to release the official election timetable, outlining statutory deadlines, candidate nomination windows and operational milestones ahead of the local elections.

Polokwane leads province in digital registrations

Polokwane recorded the highest number of digital transactions in the province during the registration weekend, with 3 658 transactions completed via the online voter registration platform – 16.93% of the local total.

Online registrations complemented 17 946 station-based applications, which made up the remaining 83.07% of Polokwane’s total activity.

Youth and gender breakdown

The municipality recorded 5 208 transactions from residents aged 16 to 29, meaning youth accounted for 24.11% of Polokwane’s turnout – the second-highest youth turnout in the province, behind Thulamela.

Provincially, female voters made up 59% (123 748) of the total weekend interactions across Limpopo. The registration weekend brought the Limpopo segment of the voters’ roll to a total of 3 019 186 registered voters.

How to register before the deadline

Unregistered citizens must complete their registration on the IEC portal before midnight tonight to take part in the upcoming local elections.

The 2026 Local Government Elections will determine councillors and municipal leadership structures for the next five-year term.

The IEC has previously reminded eligible voters to ensure they are registered where they live, as voters may only vote at the station linked to their registration details.

Residents can get their identity document ready and register or check their address details online at registertovote.elections.org.za.