IEC WC: high voter registration turnout among young people

Following the first registration weekend ahead of the local government elections set for later this year, the IEC in the Western Cape says it is encouraged by the turnout among young people.

Of the 235,178 registration activities recorded this weekend, people aged between 16 and 29 accounted for the majority, with 64,197 registration activities.

It further noted that of the overall total number of registration activities, 47 457 were new registrations, and a further 187,772 citizens checked and updated their details.

Western Cape Provincial Electoral Officer, Michael Hendrickse, conveyed his gratitude to the public who went to voting stations to register, re-register or check and update their details.

“I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the IEC team and staff at voting stations who assisted citizens and ensured that the process ran smoothly, I also have to express our appreciation to our many stakeholders and role players, which include the South African Police Services, Local law enforcement and municipalities, and especially the Department of Home Affairs which had opened its offices over the weekend,” he said.

Hendrickse has, however, noted that of the 1,623 voting stations across the province, five stations located in rural areas were inaccessible due to road damage or closures following the devastating floods, and could not open.

These stations were in Beaufort West, Cederberg and Kannaland. The IEC added that arrangements are being made to visit these five communities to register and re-register voters.

Despite this, the commission noted an uptick in the province’s voters’ roll, which now stands at 3,3 million, up from 3,2 million in September last year. This translates to an increase of over 85 000 voters.

More voter registrations opportunities

The IEC has announced that citizens will no longer incur any data costs when interacting with the Online Voter Registration Portal.

The Commission has also announced that the second voter registration will take place on 1 and 2 August. Voters and eligible citizens are urged to make use of these opportunities to ensure they are on the correct municipal ward segment of the National Common Voters Roll.

“We all have the opportunity to hold those in power to account, to unpack their plans and programs and not merely slogans, review their track records and ethical behaviour and to elect our municipal councillors come 4 November 2026.”

Citizens who have not yet registered are reminded that the Online Voter Registration Portal will remain available until the official Proclamation of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Local government elections are set to take place on 4 November.