IEC gives South Africans until Friday to register for 2026 local elections

The Electoral Commission

Cape Town – South Africans who missed the final voter registration weekend still have until midnight on Friday, 7 August, to register or update their details ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, the Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced.

The IEC urged eligible voters not to delay, warning that registration platforms become busier as the deadline approaches.

“The Electoral Commission (IEC) has urged eligible voters not to wait until the last minute, warning that registration channels typically become busier as deadlines approach.”

Voters can register or update their details through the IEC’s online registration portal or via the Commission’s new WhatsApp service by sending “Hi” to 0600 88 0000.

According to the IEC, more than 1.7 million citizens interacted with the Commission during the final voter registration weekend, including 291,806 first-time voters.

The Commission said young people accounted for a significant share of registrations, with 485,757 transactions involving people aged between 16 and 29, while 46% of new registrations were by voters under the age of 29.

The IEC also reminded voters who have changed their residential address to update their details before the deadline.

“In local government elections, voters must vote at the voting station where they are registered.”

The 2026 Local Government Elections are scheduled to take place on 4 November, with the official election timetable expected to be proclaimed on 7 August.

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