IEC announces voter registration weekend dates for local govt elections

With the local government elections fast approaching, the electoral commission will have its first voter registration weekend on the 20th and 21st of June.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) made the announcement at a media briefing at its headquarters in Centurion on Tuesday.

While the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister has yet to announce the date for the municipal elections, the IEC wants to be ready by November.

The current term for all municipal councils is set to end on 2 November 2026.

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The law prescribes that local government elections must be held within 90 days of the term’s expiry.

While the COGTA minister has yet to announce the official date, the municipal elections must be held between November and February.

IEC’s Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, said in the meantime, voters must be registered, with the first registration weekend scheduled to take place on the 20th and 21st of June.

“The timing of this registration weekend aligns with the current planning assumption, namely, that the Commission must stand ready to administer elections whenever they are lawfully called. This alignment ensures procedural certainty, operational readiness, and full compliance with the legal framework.”

Once the official election date is proclaimed, voters will have until 5pm on that very same day to register to vote.