June voter registration weekend set as IEC prepares for elections

IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo confirmed that over 260,000 new voter registrations were recorded between November 2025 and March 2026, reflecting growing confidence in the commission’s digital and in-person registration methods. TheElectoral Commission of South Africa(IEC) Chief Electoral Officer (CEO),Sy Mamabolo, has announced a voter registration weekend set for 20 and 21 June 2026, aimed at maximising registration opportunities closer to where voters reside. Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Mamabolo reminded all eligible South Africans that they must register where they ordinarily reside and vote at the station of their registration once the election date has been announced.

Mamabolo explained that the primary goal of the voter registration weekend is to provide South Africans with the opportunity to register closer to their homes. “The voter registration weekend is designed to facilitate access to the franchise and broaden electoral participation,” Mamabolo said. This initiative forms part of the IEC’s wider planning framework, which ensures operational readiness ahead of the elections.

He also highlighted that once the election date is announced by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta),Velenkosini Hlabisa, voters will have until midnight on that day to register. The election date will officially set the timetable for other essential processes such as the publication of the voters’ roll, candidate nominations, and the lodging of objections to the roll. Mamabolo stressed the importance of a timely announcement of the election date, particularly for citizens who may not be living at their ordinary place of residence on election day.

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“An early announcement of an election date is critical to allow South Africans to decide where they will be on voting day,” Mamabolo said. “For example, students living away from home must know if they’ll be on campus or at home when the election happens to ensure they register correctly.”

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