Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) signage at a voting station during the final voter registration weekend ahead of South Africa's Local Government Elections, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2 August 2026. Photo Credit: Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

NNA News - South Africa’s Electoral Commission (IEC) has welcomed strong public turnout during the final voter registration weekend ahead of the country's Local Government Elections on 4 November. With just over 90 days to go before the elections, the IEC is calling on all eligible South African citizens to register or update their details on the voters' roll. The weekend marked the final opportunity for in-person registration at voting stations across the country.

Eligible voters can still register online using the commission's data-free self-service portal. The IEC also used the weekend to remind voters to register where they currently live to ensure they are assigned to the correct voting district. All 23,699 voting stations nationwide remained open until 17:00 on Sunday. “We are delighted that South Africans have responded positively to this final voter registration weekend,” IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo announced on Sunday. “However, there remains a critical opportunity for those who have not yet registered or who need to update their registration details. We urge every eligible citizen to ensure that they are correctly registered and assigned to the right voting district.” Mamabolo added that the weekend began smoothly, with more than 99% of voting stations opening on time at 08:00.

By midday on Saturday, the IEC reported in a statement that it had assisted more than 238,000 people through voting stations and online services. Most transactions, totalling 198,232, were completed at voting stations, while the data-free online portal recorded 20,078. KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of registrations and updates, with 55,759, followed by the Eastern Cape with 46,889 and Gauteng with 41,774. Other provinces also reported steady activity. The IEC also reported technical problems with its data-free online service, saying its technical team was working with partners to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

In Soweto's Diepkloof Zone 4, residents said they registered to demand better service delivery. Residents said they were registering to vote because they were frustrated by illegal dumping, leaking water infrastructure, crime and neglected public spaces. For many, voting is a way to hold elected leaders accountable. Diepkloof Zone 4 resident Brenda Nkabinde told NNA News: "Registering and voting is very important so that, as a community, we will be able to have a say in the change that's supposed to happen in our community." Community leader Thabiso Mollo said, "We need to start with ourselves because of the illegal dumping that is happening here. We must encourage young people to go and register and vote because we've got challenges of illegal dumping, potholes and unemployment."

A directional sign points voters to a polling station during the final voter registration weekend ahead of South Africa's Local Government Elections, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2 August 2026. Photo Credit: Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

Mamabolo explained why voter registration had to end before election day. "Registration has its space in that time frame, but at a point it has to cease so that other electoral functions can be undertaken," he added. Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs extended office hours on 1- 2 August to help eligible voters obtain identity documents before the registration deadline. Voters who missed the registration weekend can still register online at registertovote.elections.org.za until the voters' roll closes. They can also visit a local IEC office. Registration details can be checked online, through the IEC app, by calling 0800 11 8000, or via SMS to 32810 at a cost of R1 per message.