The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in the North West has urged all eligible residents who have not yet registered to vote to take advantage of the second voter registration weekend on 1 and 2 August, ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Provincial Electoral Officer Bonolo Modise said the Commission’s decision to hold another voter registration weekend was prompted by the number of eligible residents who are still not on the voters’ roll. He explained that the additional registration period is intended to give those who were unable to register during the previous registration weekend another opportunity to do so before the voters’ roll closes.
Modise encouraged residents to check whether they are registered and to update their voting details where necessary. He also noted that the online voter registration portal will remain open for some time, allowing eligible voters to register or amend their details ahead of the elections. While acknowledging that registering every eligible voter is a significant challenge, Modise stressed that the Commission remains committed to reaching as many voters as possible.
“We can never be satisfied until every eligible voter has had the opportunity to register,” he said, adding that the IEC’s goal is to achieve a voter registration rate as close to 100% as possible.
The Commission has appealed to first-time voters and residents who have changed their place of residence to use the registration weekend to ensure they are correctly registered and ready to participate in the 2026 Local Government Elections.
