Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)
The Electoral Commission says it is fully prepared to open thousands of voting stations across the Eastern Cape this weekend as South Africans head to voter registration stations for the 2026 Local Government Elections drive.
The voter registration weekend will take place on Saturday, 20th and Sunday, 21st June, with all 4,984 voting stations across the province expected to operate from 08h00 to 17h00.
Stations include 4,884 permanent stations, 91 tented stations, and nine mobile stations serving remote communities.
The Commission says the weekend is critical to ensure that voters are correctly registered and placed in the correct wards, particularly ahead of local government elections where voting is restricted to a voter’s registered voting district.
Accurate voter placement key to free and fair elections
Eastern Cape Provincial Electoral Officer Kayakazi Magudumana says accurate registration remains essential for free and fair elections.
“In the context of a local government election, the correct placement of voters in wards is a crucial element for the delivery of free and fair elections. The Commission calls on every voter to update their details, especially their address, as this will place them on the correct segment of the voters’ roll.”
She says the weekend provides an opportunity for both new registrations and updates.
“The voter registration weekend offers an opportunity for all people in the province to visit voting stations, register for the first time, and update their details.”
Over 10,000 staff deployed across the province
The IEC says more than 10,030 trained registration staff will be deployed across the province, with the majority drawn from unemployed qualified individuals.
Magudumana says the recruitment process was conducted transparently and with political party oversight.
“The recruitment criteria for registration staff was done in consultation with political parties, followed by a vetting process where the list of all 10,030 registration officials was submitted for verification. We did not receive any objections.”
Youth participation under the spotlight
The Commission has raised concern about low youth participation, with more than 70% of eligible 18- and 19-year-olds in the province still unregistered.
It says the 18–19 age group makes up only about 2% of the provincial voters’ roll, while the 20–29 age group accounts for about 9%.
MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Eastern Cape, Zolile Williams, is urging young people to take up the opportunity and participate in shaping their communities.
Targeted outreach after boundary changes
The IEC says it has completed a targeted voter registration campaign following municipal boundary changes, affecting more than 83,000 voter records.
Of these, 16,006 new voters were added and 67,716 records were updated.
The Commission says this ensures voters remain correctly placed in their new wards and voting districts.
Mamabolo: voters’ roll now exceeds 28 million
IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo says voter registration remains central to ensuring credible elections.
Speaking during a briefing in Centurion, he said the voters’ roll now stands at over 28 million registered voters.
“The online registration portal is proving to be a crucial element of the voters’ roll. In the context of a local government election, the correct placement of voters in wards is crucial for the delivery of free and fair elections.”
He warned voters who have changed addresses to update their details.
“Registered voters, especially those who may have changed their residential addresses, must ensure that the correct address reflects on the voters’ roll, otherwise they may not be able to cast their ballot.”
Mamabolo also stressed that voting is tied strictly to a voter’s registered voting district.
“There is no statutory mechanism to vote outside of the voting district in which you are registered. This has been part of the framework since the establishment of local government in the year 2000. The abiding principle is that a voter may not vote for a ward councillor in a ward in which they do not reside.”
Home Affairs extends operating hours
The Department of Home Affairs will extend operating hours over the weekend to support the IEC’s registration drive.
More than 370,000 Smart ID cards are currently awaiting collection nationwide.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa says government is working closely with the IEC to ensure smooth participation in the democratic process.
“Government’s readiness for the voter registration weekend, including support from Home Affairs, demonstrates a commitment to ensuring that all eligible South Africans are able to register and participate in the 2026 Local Government Elections.”
Call to action
The IEC is encouraging citizens to bring valid identification, including a Smart ID card, green barcoded ID book, or temporary identity certificate when registering.
While proof of address is not required, voters must declare their place of ordinary residence for correct ward allocation.
The Commission is also urging citizens to use the online voter registration portal and check their voting station details ahead of the weekend.
It says it remains committed to ensuring credible, free and fair elections, and is calling on all eligible citizens to “get up and show up” this weekend.
Sandy McCowen
www.algoafm.co.za