IEC Urges South Africans to Register Ahead of 2026 Local Government Elections
Viable News Team 
The Electoral Commission of South Africa has urged citizens to prepare for the next local government elections by ensuring they are registered to vote where they ordinarily live.
At a media briefing on Tuesday, the commission announced that a national voter registration weekend will take place on 20 and 21 June 2026, giving South Africans another opportunity to register or update their voting details.
Registration Critical for Local Elections
The electoral body stressed that it must be ready to administer elections whenever they are legally called.
Once the voter registration process has been finalised, the Velenkosini Hlabisa is expected to formally proclaim the election date.
Eligible voters will be able to register until midnight on the day the election date is officially announced.
The proclamation will also activate several key electoral processes, including:
- Certification and publication of the voters’ roll
- Public inspection of the roll and submission of objections
- Adjudication of objections
- Submission of candidate nominations by political parties
The commission emphasised that early clarity on the election date helps voters determine where they will be on voting day, which is crucial for local elections.
Unlike national and provincial elections, voters must vote at the specific voting station where they are registered, as ward councillors represent residents of that community.
Ward Delimitation and Election Preparations
Preparations for the elections are already underway, including ward boundary adjustments conducted by the Municipal Demarcation Board.
In December 2025, the board handed over 4,305 wards to the Electoral Commission, representing about 95% of wards nationally.
However, the delimitation process is still being finalised in four municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal:
- eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
- Mkhambathini Local Municipality
- Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality
- Alfred Duma Local Municipality
According to the board, court proceedings affecting those areas have now concluded, allowing the delimitation process to continue.
Ward adjustments have also resulted in the subdivision of 1,865 voting districts, accounting for around 8% of districts nationwide.
The provinces with the largest share of affected districts include:
- KwaZulu-Natal
- Gauteng
- Mpumalanga
- North West
These changes require the commission to update voting district boundaries and the network of voting stations before the elections.
Growth in New Voter Registrations
The Electoral Commission reported steady growth in new voter registrations through both online platforms and in-person systems.
Between November 2025 and March 2026, a total of 260,205 new voters registered.
Of these:
- 128,113 registrations were captured using voter management devices
- 132,092 registrations were completed through the online self-service portal
The commission attributed this increase to its nationwide online voter registration campaign conducted in February 2026.
Recruitment and Training of Election Staff
To prepare for voter registration activities and election operations, the Electoral Commission has begun recruiting temporary registration staff.
Applicants must meet strict requirements, including:
- Being South African citizens and registered voters
- Not holding political office or campaigning for a party within the past five years
- Having no serious criminal convictions
Lists of presiding and deputy presiding officers will be reviewed by Municipal Political Liaison Committees to ensure compliance with these criteria.
The commission is also conducting training programmes for journalists in partnership with the South African National Editors’ Forum, aimed at improving understanding of electoral law and reporting standards during the election period.
Warning Over Election Misinformation
The commission warned that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and digital platforms has contributed to the spread of election-related misinformation.
Officials cautioned the public about fake voter registration websites designed to collect personal information.
Citizens are advised to register only through official IEC channels and avoid sharing personal details on suspicious platforms.
The commission also warned about fraudulent recruitment notices circulating on social media, emphasising that all legitimate vacancies are advertised only on the IEC’s official website and no payments are required for job applications.
Political Landscape Expands
South Africa’s political landscape continues to grow, with 508 political parties currently registered with the Electoral Commission.
Of these:
- 299 are registered nationally
- 209 operate at provincial, district or metropolitan level
A total of 20 new parties were registered between October 2025 and February 2026.
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