South Africans who have not registered for the 2026 Local Elections have until midnight on Friday, 7 August 2026, to complete the process before the voters’ roll closes.
The Electoral Commission has urged eligible citizens, particularly those who missed the final registration weekend on 1 and 2 August, to register online or use its new WhatsApp registration service. The deadline matters because no new registrations or address changes will be accepted after the election date is formally proclaimed.
The 2026 Local Government Elections will take place on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. Voters will elect councillors who will serve in metropolitan, district and local municipalities across South Africa.
Voters’ Roll Closes at Midnight on Friday
The registration period will close at midnight on Friday when Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa is expected to proclaim the election date.
The announcement of the election date in April did not close the voters’ roll. According to the Electoral Commission, the roll only closes when the date is formally proclaimed by the responsible minister.
Once the proclamation takes effect, South Africans will no longer be able to submit new voter registrations or change their registered addresses for the November elections.
Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo has warned voters not to leave registration until the final hours because digital registration channels may experience increased demand as the deadline approaches.
More Than 1.7 Million Transactions Recorded
The IEC recorded 1 794 051 voter registration transactions during the final registration weekend on Saturday, 1 August, and Sunday, 2 August 2026.
Of these transactions, 291 806 involved people registering for the first time. A further 1 502 245 registered voters checked, confirmed or updated their existing details.
The figures include:
• 291 806 new registrations
• 922 287 updates within the same voting district
• 579 958 voters who moved to another voting district
• 1 794 051 total transactions
According to the IEC, the figures show that most activity involved existing voters checking their information or updating their addresses before the voters’ roll closes.
This is particularly important for local government elections because voters must be registered in the ward where they ordinarily live.
Gauteng Records Second Highest Registration Activity
Gauteng recorded 314 856 transactions during the final registration weekend, the second highest total among South Africa’s nine provinces.
KwaZulu Natal recorded the highest activity with 427 592 transactions, while the Eastern Cape followed Gauteng with 313 797.
Gauteng’s total included:
• 55 879 first time registrations
• 128 776 updates within the same voting district
• 130 201 moves to a different voting district
The number of people who changed voting districts was slightly higher than the number who updated their details within the same district.
This suggests that many Gauteng residents used the registration weekend to update their information after moving homes.
Gauteng Leads Online Voter Registration
Although voting stations remained the main registration channel nationally, Gauteng recorded the highest use of the IEC’s online voter registration portal during the weekend.
A total of 86 492 online transactions were completed in Gauteng. KwaZulu Natal recorded 41 334 online transactions, while the Western Cape recorded 33 783.
Another 228 364 Gauteng transactions were completed through registration devices at voting stations.
Nationally, 1 555 318 transactions were processed at registration stations, while the online portal recorded 238 733 transactions.
The IEC said the strong use of digital registration in Gauteng reflects the province’s large urban population and access to mobile and internet services.
How To Register For The Local Elections Before The Deadline
Voting stations used during the registration weekend are no longer open for general registration.
Eligible voters can still register or update their details through the IEC’s digital services before midnight on Friday.
Available options include:
• Using the IEC Online Voter Registration Portal
• Sending “Hi” to the IEC WhatsApp service on 0600 88 0000
• Visiting a permanent local IEC office during weekday operating hours
The IEC’s WhatsApp platform uses identity verification measures, including one time pin authentication, identity document uploads and address confirmation.
Some applicants may be redirected to the online registration portal to identify the location of their home on an interactive map.
An accurate address is required because the IEC uses residential details to place each voter in the correct voting district and municipal ward.
Who Can Register To Vote
A person must be a South African citizen and have a valid South African identity document to register.
Citizens can register from the age of 16, although they may only vote once they are at least 18 years old.
Accepted identification includes:
• A green barcoded identity book
• A smart identity card
• A valid temporary identity certificate
A physical proof of address document is not generally required. However, applicants must provide accurate residential information so that the IEC can place them in the correct ward.
How To Check Your Registration Status
People who voted in previous elections do not need to register again unless their address or voting district has changed.
Registered voters can check their information by sending their identity number by SMS to 32810. The SMS costs R1.
They may also check their status through the IEC website or contact the Electoral Commission’s contact centre on 0800 11 8000.
Mamabolo said voters who have moved should update their details because local government election rules do not allow people to vote at a station outside the voting district where they are registered.
Youth Participation Increases Ahead of Elections
Young people between the ages of 16 and 29 accounted for 485 757 transactions during the final registration weekend.
This represented about 26 percent of all registration activity. The IEC also reported that 46 percent of new registrations came from people younger than 29.
Gauteng recorded 78 405 youth transactions, including:
• 11 217 transactions among citizens aged 16 and 17
• 8 419 transactions among those aged 18 and 19
• 58 769 transactions among people aged 20 to 29
KwaZulu Natal recorded the highest youth participation with 137 046 transactions, followed by the Eastern Cape with 79 417.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
Gauteng residents who have not registered must complete the process before midnight on Friday, 7 August.
Residents who recently moved between suburbs, municipalities or wards should also verify that their registered address is correct.
This includes people who moved between Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and the West Rand.
The ward listed on a voter’s registration record determines where that person must vote and which ward councillor ballot they receive.
A person who remains registered at an old address may be assigned to the wrong ward or voting station.
Residents should therefore check their registration information even if they have participated in previous national or municipal elections.
What Happens After The Voters’ Roll Closes
Once the election is proclaimed, the IEC will publish the formal election timetable.
The timetable will set deadlines for candidate nominations, certification of the voters’ roll and other preparations leading to election day.
The Electoral Code of Conduct will also take effect after the proclamation.
The IEC will then shift its focus from voter registration to final election preparations ahead of voting on 4 November 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does voter registration close?
Voter registration will close at midnight on Friday, 7 August 2026, when the election date is expected to be formally proclaimed.
Can I still register at my local voting station?
No. The final voting station registration weekend ended on 2 August. Voters must now use the online portal, the WhatsApp service or visit a permanent IEC office.
What happens if I moved after registering?
You should update your address before the deadline so that the IEC can place you in the correct voting district and ward.
Can a 16 year old register?
Yes. South African citizens can register from the age of 16 but may only vote once they are 18.
When are the 2026 Local Government Elections?
The elections are scheduled for Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
Final Hours To Secure a Place On The Voters’ Roll
The IEC has urged eligible South Africans not to wait until the final hours to register or correct their details.
For Gauteng residents, the deadline provides a final opportunity to confirm the correct voting district before the voters’ roll closes for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
After midnight on Friday, no new registrations or changes will be processed for the November election.
