South Africa Electoral Commission (IEC) Reiterates Call To register To Vote

“The Electoral Commission reminds eligible voters that they will not have another opportunity for voting station-based registration,”

“The Electoral Commission reminds eligible voters that they will not have another opportunity for voting station-based registration,” said the Electoral Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, Sy Mamabolo.

Voting stations across the country are open this weekend from 8am to 5pm on both days. The Department of Home Affairs has also extended operating hours at all offices for the final Voter Registration Weekend on 01 and 02 August 2026.

Home Affairs offices will open on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 5pm to ensure that eligible citizens can access the services they need to register to vote.

Addressing the media in Pretoria on Saturday, Mamabolo said the start of the final voter registration weekend brings the country closer to the conclusion of voting station-based registration ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

“The Electoral Commission reports that the final voter registration weekend has commenced on a strong footing, with more than 99% of the 23 699 voting stations across the country opening promptly at 8am.

“At 12pm today, the Commission reported that it had already interacted with over 238 000 citizens at voting stations and on the online portal.

“The recorded transactions were predominantly voters updating their registration details to ensure that they are correctly registered ahead of the Local Government Elections. New registrations accounted for 13.4% or approximately 30 000 of the transactions,” he said.

Mamabolo said the majority of transactions (198 232) were recorded at voting stations across the country, while the Commission’s online data-free voter registration portal recorded 20 078 transactions, providing eligible voters with an additional convenient channel to register or update their details.

“Preliminary figures indicate that the highest volumes of voter transactions are currently being recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (55 759), Eastern Cape (46 889) and Gauteng (41 774); this is consistent with historical patterns and reflects the population densities of the provinces.

“Other provinces, including Limpopo (29 680), Western Cape (19 693), Mpumalanga (17 218), North West (15 610), Free State (13 110), and Northern Cape (6 213), are also recording voter activity as citizens respond positively to the Commission’s call to register and update their details before the conclusion of the voting station-based registration.

“The Electoral Commission welcomes the encouraging turnout of South Africans who have visited voting stations since the opening this morning. We are equally encouraged by the continued uptake of the online voter registration portal,” Mamabolo said.

Online voter registration

Mamabolo said the online voter registration portal remains active, allowing voters to register and update their details to avoid missing out on this important occasion.

“The portal, registertovote.elections.org.za, will remain open until the election is proclaimed. Nonetheless, the Commission urges citizens to register or update their details now rather than wait until the last minute. This will help to avoid unnecessary congestion on the platform in the days and hours leading up to proclamation,” he said.

Mamabolo explained that registered voters are also encouraged to verify their registration details online, through the IEC App or by contacting the Electoral Commission's Contact Centre on 0800 11 8000.

“Voters may also check their registration status by sending their identity number via SMS to 32810 at the cost of R1 per SMS,” he said.

Mamabolo said the Commission is profoundly thankful to its electoral staff, Home Affairs officials, political parties, community leaders, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, observer groups, security agencies and all stakeholders whose cooperation and support continue to contribute to the successful delivery of the voter registration process.

The IEC had previously said it would deploy 48 212 trained electoral officials to assist voters with registration, updating their details and verifying their registration information.

The Commission has also adjusted its voting district arrangements following an assessment of voter activity during the first registration weekend, reducing the number of districts from 23 706 to 23 699.

During the first registration weekend on 20 and 21 June, more than three million registration transactions were recorded.

– SAnews.gov.za