The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has called on eligible South Africans aged 16 years and older to register and update their details on the national Online Voter Registration portal to qualify to vote in the 2026 Local Government Elections. The Commission announced Online Voter Registration officially opened yesterday – Thursday, 5 February.
In addition to registering online, eligible South Africans can verify their registration status. Members of the public can visit Registertovote.elections.org.za to fulfil the process. The date for the upcoming municipal elections is yet to be announced.
The Commission stressed that the Online Voter Registration campaign marks a major step towards preparations for the 2026 local elections. In 2021, the Commission introduced the online portal – a self-service voter registration system – which has proven effective among eligible South Africans. It enables citizens to register, update, and verify their details remotely, significantly improving the accessibility, efficiency, and integrity of the voter registration process.
George Mahlangu, acting Chief Electoral Officer of the IEC, said the commission was maximising the efforts to empower all voters, particularly young people, to actively participate in SA’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,” he said.
According to the Commission, the portal recorded 26,743 newly registered voters in just over a month this year. This has increased the total number of registered voters to 27,718,204, and the highly sought-after youth demographic now accounts for 7,756,911 registered voters, the Commission revealed.
“This is underscoring the urgent need to intensify efforts to mobilise young people ahead of the 2026 local government elections. This ensures voters can continue to shape the affairs of their communities by participating in elections in the wards where they ordinarily reside,” said Mahlangu.
He said the Commission continues intensifying voter registration and civic education initiatives at institutions of learning nationwide, reinforcing civic and democracy drives aimed at young people.
Eligible South Africans with a valid identity document can register to vote or update their details online.
“Voters who qualify 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 Election Day,” said Mahlangu.
