Last chance: Final voter registration this weekend

South Africans have one final opportunity to register to vote or update their registration details this weekend, as the Electoral Commission (IEC) prepares for the last in-person voter registration drive ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. With fewer than 100 days remaining before Election Day, all 23 699 voting stations across the country will be open from 8am to 5pm on Saturday, 1 August and Sunday, 2 August.

Close to 50 000 trained electoral officials deployed

The Commission said it has completed all operational preparations for the registration weekend and will deploy 48 212 trained electoral officials to assist eligible voters with registering, updating their residential details or confirming their registration information.

Unlike national and provincial elections, local government elections require voters to be registered in the ward where they ordinarily live.

The IEC reminded residents that there is no legal provision allowing voters to cast their ballots outside the voting district where they are registered during municipal elections.

“Register where you live. Vote where you are registered,” the Commission urged, encouraging anyone who has moved since their last registration to update their residential address to ensure they are assigned to the correct ward.

The Commission said the number of voting districts has been adjusted from 23 706 to 23 699 following the optimisation of voting station arrangements based on voter activity recorded during the first registration weekend.

Home Affairs to open this weekend

To support the registration drive, the Department of Home Affairs will once again extend its operating hours in line with the registration weekend to assist eligible voters who need identity documents.

The Electoral Commission called on all eligible South Africans who have not yet registered, or who need to update their details, to make use of this final registration opportunity before the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The Commission said it remains committed to ensuring every eligible South African can exercise their constitutional right to vote in elections that are free, fair, transparent and credible.