Pretoria: South Africa: South Africans are turning out in their numbers across the country as the Electoral Commission's (IEC) voter registration weekend for the 2026 Local Government Elections gets under way. At a media briefing on Saturday, the commission's Masego Sheburi revealed that some 330,000 voter registration applications were processed by noon. He noted that nearly all voting stations were open and operating smoothly by 8am with those not opening on time due to community protests.
According to South African Government News Agency, the voter registration weekend has started off on a positive note in 23,706 voting stations. Just over 300,000 transactions were processed on the VMD [voter management device] at voting stations, while 30,000 were applications on the online platform. Provinces with high population densities such as KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Eastern Cape recorded the highest applications. Early indications point to young persons as the majority of applicants.
Furthermore, the commission's contact centre has facilitated and assisted 640 voters through direct queries, alongside 221 interactions via social media platforms. The commission expresses its appreciation to the many South Africans who have participated in the registration process since this morning. The turnout recorded thus far reflects an encouraging commitment to democratic participation.
Voter registration stations will remain open until 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, and eligible citizens are reminded to register in the district where they reside. Once registered, voters will only be able to vote at that station. Voters are reminded that a valid South African identity document, such as a green barcoded identity book, smart ID card, or valid temporary identity certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs, is required to complete their registration or update their details. The Department of Home Affairs remains open to facilitate access to the documentation required for voter registration.
Although proof of address is not required for registration, providing an address or a description of a place of ordinary residence remains important to enable the chief electoral officer to allocate voters to the correct segment of the voters' roll. Eligible citizens may also register online at registertovote.elections.org.za. Voters can verify registration details on the IEC app, by contacting the Commission's contact centre on 0800 11 8000, or by sending their identity number via SMS to 32810.
The online registration portal will remain open until midnight on the day the election is officially proclaimed by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, after which voter registration and updates to registration details will close. The commission also extends its gratitude to political parties, community leaders, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, security agencies, and all stakeholders for supporting the registration process. The 2026 Local Government Elections will be held on 4 November 2026.