The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says it is fully prepared to welcome eligible voters to registration stations across the country this weekend, as preparations intensify for the 2026 local government elections.

South Africans are encouraged to visit their nearest voting station on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June to register, verify their details, or update their address information to ensure they are correctly placed on the voters’ roll.

The IEC says more than 23,700 voting stations will be open nationwide between 8 AM and 5 PM over the two-day registration drive.

The voters’ roll currently stands at approximately 28 million registered voters, up from 27.7 million during the 2024 general elections. The Commission says online registrations continue to play an important role in growing the voters’ roll.

A major focus of the registration weekend is ensuring voters are registered in the correct wards and voting districts, particularly following municipal boundary changes that have resulted in some voters being reassigned.

The IEC has deployed more than 48,000 trained registration staff and made available nearly 40,000 Voter Management Devices (VMDs) to process registrations and updates.

The Commission has also conducted extensive testing and external reviews of its voter registration systems and says all identified issues have been addressed ahead of the weekend.

Youth participation remains a key priority. The IEC says more than 70% of eligible 18- and 19-year-olds are still not registered to vote. Through its Tertiary Institutions Campaign, over 158,000 students have been added to the voters’ roll since March this year.

IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo urged South Africans to take advantage of the registration opportunity, saying active voter participation is essential to strengthening the country’s democracy.

The Department of Home Affairs will also operate during the registration weekend to assist eligible citizens requiring identity document services.

What You Need to Know

Registration Weekend

• Dates: 20 and 21 June 2026
• Times: 08:00 to 17:00 daily
• Voting stations open: 23,706 nationwide

Documents Needed

Bring one of the following:

• Smart ID card
• Green barcoded ID book
• Valid Temporary Identity Certificate

Why Updating Your Details Matters

• Local government election voters can only vote in the voting district where they are registered.
• There is no provision to vote outside your registered voting district during municipal elections.
• Updating your address ensures you are placed in the correct ward.
  Youth Registration
• More than 70% of eligible 18- and 19-year-olds are still not registered.
• The IEC is urging first-time voters to register this weekend.

Online Services

Voters can:

• Register online
• Check registration details
• Locate their voting station

The IEC says the registration weekend is a crucial step in ensuring free, fair and credible local government elections and has called on all eligible South Africans to “get up and show up” this weekend.