Johannesburg: South Africans who have not yet registered to vote are being urged to do so before voter registration closes at midnight on Friday. Electoral Commission Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo emphasized that there is still time for eligible citizens to register online or through the newly launched WhatsApp registration service, cautioning voters against waiting until the final hours.
According to South African Government News Agency, over 1.7 million people interacted with the IEC during the final voter registration weekend on 1 and 2 August. Of these interactions, nearly 292,000 were first-time voters, while more than 1.5 million existing voters checked or updated their registration details. This ensures that they are registered in the correct voting district, which is crucial for local government elections where voters can only vote at their registered polling station.
Mamabolo highlighted the importance of updating addresses for those who have moved, as the registration deadline approaches. The campaign also witnessed strong participation from young citizens, with almost 486,000 interactions recorded among those aged between 16 and 29. Notably, nearly half of all new registrations were by voters under the age of 29, indicating increased youth engagement ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
To facilitate voter registration, the IEC has introduced a WhatsApp registration option. This platform allows users to register or update their details through secure identity verification. Some users may also need to confirm their residential address via an interactive map on the online registration portal.
The Commission is urging eligible voters to avoid delaying their registration or updates, noting that registration channels typically experience higher traffic as the deadline nears. Citizens can verify their registration status using the SMS service on 32810 or seek assistance through the IEC's contact center and WhatsApp support line.
The 2026 Local Government Elections are set for 4 November, with the formal election timetable to be announced after the election is proclaimed on Friday, 7 August.
