By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is delighted that South Africans have responded positively to the final voter registration weekend.
Saturday and Sunday mark the last weekend that voters may register, update, and verify their details on the voters’ roll ahead of the Local Government Elections on 4 November 2026.
Addressing the media in Pretoria on Saturday, IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo welcomed the positive response from South Africans who used the final voter registration weekend to register to vote or update their details ahead of the Local Government Elections.
“We are delighted that South Africans have responded positively to this final voter registration weekend, but there is still a crucial window of opportunity for those who have not yet registered or who need to update their registration details, said Mamabolo.”
Mamabolo said the final voter registration weekend commenced on a strong footing, with more than 99% of the 23 699 voting stations across the country opening promptly at 8am.
The Commission reported that it had interacted with more than 238 000 citizens at voting stations and on the online portal on Saturday by 12pm.
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,” he said.
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.
The Electoral Commission will announce the outcome of the voter registration drive at a media briefing on Monday at 1pm at the Election House in Centurion.
The Department of Home Affairs has also extended operating hours at all offices for the final Voter Registration Weekend on 1 and 2 August 2026.