Local elections: IEC encourages citizens to register to vote through online portal

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has launched a countrywide online voter registration campaign. Eligible voters can both register and update and verify their details remotely, via the IEC’s online portal – a self-service voter registration system. The IEC says the portal will significantly improve the accessibility, efficiency and integrity of the voter registration process.

This year alone, the portal recorded 26 743 newly registered voters, bringing the total number of registered voters to 27.7 million. The highly sought-after youth demographic now accounts for 7.7 million registered voters, underscoring the urgent need to intensify efforts to mobilise young people ahead of the 2026 local government elections. Acting Chief Electoral Officer George Mahlangu says the IEC is stepping up efforts to empower all voters, particularly young people, to actively participate in South Africa’s democratic and electoral processes.

“We urge all eligible South Africans to register online, and those already registered to verify and, where necessary, update their address details. In the 2026 municipal elections, you register where you live and vote where you are registered. This ensures voters can continue to shape the affairs of their communities by participating in elections in the wards where they ordinarily reside,” says Mahlangu.

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The IEC is also intensifying voter registration and civic education initiatives at institutions of learning nationwide, reinforcing civic and democracy drives aimed at young people. Eligible South Africans aged 16 years and older, with a valid identity document, can register to vote or update their details onregistertovote.elections.org.za The IEC reminds South Africans that in these elections, voters will only be permitted to vote at the voting station where they are registered. It is therefore essential that voters ensure their registration details, including their voting district and voting station, are correct and up to date ahead of the election.

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