The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has launched its 2026 election campaign with the slogan ‘Get Up, Show Up, Vote’, recording 2.9 million new voter registrations during the weekend of 20–21 June 2026 and bringing the total number of registered voters in South Africa to 28.5 million, according to an IEC statement.

Youth Turnout Rises But Large Registration Gap Remains

Approximately 80% of first-time voters recorded during the June registration drive were young people, the IEC confirmed. Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo stated, “Young people dominated new registrations, accounting for 80% of first-time voters during the latest voter registration weekend.”

However, over 70% of eligible youth aged 18–19 remained unregistered as of June 2026, according to Sy Mamabolo: “More than 70% of the youth in the age category of 18–19 are not yet registered.” Despite recent progress, this group continues to show the lowest levels of participation on the national voters’ roll.

IEC Campaigns Target Tertiary Institutions And Peer Engagement

To boost youth participation, the IEC has conducted targeted voter education campaigns at tertiary institutions, including Durban University of Technology’s Ritson campus in March 2026. Provincial Electoral Officer Ntombifuthi Masinga, addressing students at the event, said, “It is very important that we have you today because you have a bigger responsibility of encouraging your peers to participate in the processes.”

The campaign forms part of the IEC’s effort to address the historic underrepresentation of young voters in previous local and national elections. Initiatives focus not only on registration but encouraging ongoing democratic engagement leading up to the 2026 local government elections.

The IEC is expected to intensify its outreach to the youngest eligible voters ahead of the next registration window, with special focus on rural communities and underrepresented urban areas.