The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) will open more than 23,000 voting stations nationwide on 1 and 2 August 2026 for the final voter registration weekend, ahead of Local Government Elections scheduled for 4 November 2026. The IEC has appointed 48,212 trained staff and deployed 39,641 Voter Management Devices to ensure a smooth registration process, while urging young first-time voters to register following a lower turnout among 18- and 19-year-olds in previous rounds. The voters’ roll now stands at 28 million, up from 27.7 million during the 2024 general elections, according to statements from the IEC and media reports.

Extensive Preparations To Support Nationwide Registration

Sy Mamabolo, IEC Chief Electoral Officer, stated during a recent media briefing that 48,212 registration staff—of whom 37,994 are women and 22,599 are under the age of 35—have been trained and assigned to manage stations across the country. Mamabolo explained, “The Commission has appointed and trained 48,212 registration staff who will be deployed to ensure a smooth and efficient voter registration process across all registration stations.” He also highlighted the use of 39,641 Voter Management Devices (VMDs), which enable real-time citizenship verification and accurate data capture linked to the voters’ roll.

During the first voter registration weekend held on 20–21 June 2026, the IEC processed approximately 2.9 million registration transactions. While the overall voters’ roll has seen growth, the IEC reported that more than 70% of eligible 18- and 19-year-olds remain unregistered, prompting targeted appeals for this group to register during the August weekend. Citizens must present a South African ID document, Smart ID card, green barcoded ID book, or valid Temporary Identity Certificate when registering; proof of address is not required, but voters must provide details of their place of residence.

Timeline And Next Steps Before The Local Government Elections

The final registration weekend marks the last official opportunity for citizens to update or verify their registration status before the 2026 Local Government Elections. The timeline, published by the IEC, confirms that after 2 August 2026, further updates can only be made at IEC offices or through special arrangements. Mamabolo emphasised, “The voter registration weekend offers an opportunity to ensure that voters’ details are accurately captured and accordingly updated.” The next milestone will be the certification of the final voters’ roll, after which the IEC will release detailed statistics on new registrations and changes. Political parties, including the MK Party, have encouraged their supporters to participate fully in the registration to strengthen their representation at the polls.

The IEC will provide further updates after the conclusion of the registration weekend, with additional details on any logistical adjustments or the overall registration figures.