South Africans who missed the final voter registration weekend still have time to register or update their voter details ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The Electoral Commission (IEC) has reminded eligible voters that they can still register or update their information online before the registration period closes on Friday, 7 August.
The IEC's online voter registration portal is available at https://registertovote.elections.org.za, allowing citizens to register, update their address and confirm their voting station without visiting a registration centre.
The Commission has urged voters not to delay, warning that online registration services are expected to become busier as the deadline approaches.
Register via WhatsApp
The IEC has also introduced a WhatsApp registration service, making it easier for voters to register or update their details using a mobile phone.
To begin, send "Hi" to 0600 88 0000 on WhatsApp.
The service includes secure identity verification through one-time passwords (OTPs), ID document uploads, address verification and voting station confirmation. Some users may be redirected to the online portal to verify their residential address using an interactive map.
Strong Response During Registration Weekend
More than 1.7 million South Africans interacted with the IEC during the final voter registration weekend on 1 and 2 August, including 291,806 first-time voters.
Young people accounted for a significant share of registrations, with 485,757 transactions involving citizens aged between 16 and 29. Nearly 46% of all new registrations were completed by voters under the age of 29.
While South Africans can register to vote from the age of 16, only those 18 years and older are eligible to cast a ballot.
Check Your Details
The IEC has encouraged voters, particularly those who have moved, to ensure their registration details and voting station are up to date. In local government elections, voters must vote at the station where they are registered.
Voters can check their registration status by SMSing "myID" followed by their South African ID number to 32810.
For assistance, the IEC Contact Centre is available on 0800 11 8000.
The 2026 Local Government Elections are scheduled to take place on 4 November, with the official election timetable expected to be announced following Friday's proclamation.
Meanwhile, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has urged all eligible South Africans to register and verify their voter information before the 7 August deadline.
The Electoral Commission (IEC) has reminded eligible voters that they can still register or update their information online before the registration period closes on Friday, 7 August.
The IEC's online voter registration portal is available at https://registertovote.elections.org.za, allowing citizens to register, update their address and confirm their voting station without visiting a registration centre.
The Commission has urged voters not to delay, warning that online registration services are expected to become busier as the deadline approaches.
Register via WhatsApp
The IEC has also introduced a WhatsApp registration service, making it easier for voters to register or update their details using a mobile phone.
To begin, send "Hi" to 0600 88 0000 on WhatsApp.
The service includes secure identity verification through one-time passwords (OTPs), ID document uploads, address verification and voting station confirmation. Some users may be redirected to the online portal to verify their residential address using an interactive map.
Strong Response During Registration Weekend
More than 1.7 million South Africans interacted with the IEC during the final voter registration weekend on 1 and 2 August, including 291,806 first-time voters.
Young people accounted for a significant share of registrations, with 485,757 transactions involving citizens aged between 16 and 29. Nearly 46% of all new registrations were completed by voters under the age of 29.
While South Africans can register to vote from the age of 16, only those 18 years and older are eligible to cast a ballot.
Check Your Details
The IEC has encouraged voters, particularly those who have moved, to ensure their registration details and voting station are up to date. In local government elections, voters must vote at the station where they are registered.
Voters can check their registration status by SMSing "myID" followed by their South African ID number to 32810.
For assistance, the IEC Contact Centre is available on 0800 11 8000.
The 2026 Local Government Elections are scheduled to take place on 4 November, with the official election timetable expected to be announced following Friday's proclamation.
Meanwhile, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has urged all eligible South Africans to register and verify their voter information before the 7 August deadline.
