Eligible South Africans are being encouraged to register to vote and update their voter registration details ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE).
Cyril Ramaphosa announced last month that the 2026 Local Government Elections will take place on 4 November 2026.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has urged citizens to use the available registration opportunities to participate in shaping the future of their communities.
IEC Encourages Voter Registration Updates
Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said the announcement of the election date provides certainty for election planning and should encourage citizens to ensure their voter registration details are correct.
“The announcement of the election date provides clarity for all role players and certainty of planning for the Electoral Commission as we continue our work to deliver free and fair municipal elections,” Mamabolo said.
The IEC called on South Africans who are not yet registered, as well as those who have moved to a new residential address, to register in the voting district where they ordinarily live.
Requirements To Register To Vote
To register to vote in the 2026 Local Government Elections, citizens must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be at least 16 years old to register
- Be 18 years or older to vote
- Have one of the following identification documents:
- Green barcoded ID book
- Smart ID card
- Valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC)
The IEC warned that voters are only allowed to vote at the voting station where they are registered.
Ways To Register For The 2026 Elections
South Africans can register online through the IEC’s voter registration platform.
The online platform also allows users to:
- Update registration details
- Confirm residential addresses
- Locate voting stations
- Apply for special votes
Voter registration can also be completed in person at:
- Local IEC offices
- Voting stations during registration weekends
- Registration drives and outreach campaigns
- Civic and democracy education events
The IEC has advised citizens to contact their local IEC office before visiting to make an appointment.
National Voter Registration Weekend Announced
The IEC confirmed that a national voter registration weekend will take place on 20 and 21 June 2026.
During this period, eligible citizens will be able to register or update their voter information at voting stations across South Africa.
Citizens are encouraged to update their details if:
- They moved to a new address
- Their address information is incomplete
- They received a new ID number
- Ward or voting district boundaries have changed
How To Check Your Voter Registration Status
South Africans can check their voter registration status through several platforms, including:
- The IEC website
- SMS services
- The IEC WhatsApp chatbot
- The IEC mobile app
- The IEC toll-free call centre
Voters’ Roll Will Close After Official Proclamation
Although President Ramaphosa has announced the intended election date, the official legal proclamation will still be issued by Velenkosini Hlabisa.
Once the election is officially proclaimed, the national voters’ roll will formally close.
Additional reporting by SANews.gov.za.
