Voting stations close as final voter weekend ends; online registration remains open

Voting stations across South Africa have officially closed following the conclusion of the Electoral Commission's final station-based voter registration weekend for the Local Government Elections scheduled for November 4, 2026.

All 23,699 voting stations closed their doors at 5pm on Sunday after two days dedicated to registering new voters and allowing existing voters to update their registration details.

While physical registration has ended, the Electoral Commission (IEC) confirmed that online voter registration remains available for eligible South Africans who still need to register or amend their details.

Earlier on Sunday, Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo encouraged citizens to make use of the final hours before voting stations closed.

"We are delighted that South Africans have responded positively to this final voter registration weekend, but there is still a crucial window of opportunity for those who have not yet registered or who need to update their registration details. We urge every eligible citizen to ensure that they are correctly registered and assigned to the right voting district," Mamabolo said.

The IEC acknowledged that its online registration platform experienced technical challenges, particularly affecting its data-free service. However, the Commission said technical teams have been working with service providers to resolve the issues and that the online registration system remains operational.

The registration drive forms part of preparations for the Local Government Elections, with the Commission aiming to ensure that eligible voters are correctly assigned to their voting districts ahead of polling day.

The Electoral Commission is expected to provide an update on the outcome of the nationwide voter registration campaign during a media briefing at Election House in Centurion on Monday, August 3, between 1pm and 2pm.