Overview
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) warns that more than 70 % of eligible 18‑ and 19‑year‑olds have not yet registered to vote. The concern was raised ahead of the nationwide voter‑registration weekend on June 20‑21, which is part of the preparations for the 2026 local government elections.
IEC’s Readiness for the Registration Weekend
Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo confirmed that the commission is fully prepared. All logistical systems and materials are in place, and voter‑registration kits have been delivered to every province.
Materials Deployed
- Voter management devices
- Stationery packs
- Directional signage
- Document storage boxes
Technology at Work
About 39 000 voter management devices will be used at registration stations. These devices:
- Enable real‑time citizen verification
- Capture voter details accurately
- Integrate registration data smoothly into the voters’ roll
- Store data offline when there is no network connection and upload it later
Staffing and Support
23 706 registration stations will operate from 8 am to 5 pm over the weekend, staffed by more than 48 000 registration workers. Many of the staff are young, unemployed individuals who gain temporary employment through the electoral process.
Current Voters’ Roll
The voters’ roll now stands at 28 million registered voters, up from 27.7 million after the 2024 general elections, despite the removal of roughly 34 000 records. Mamabolo noted that the IEC’s online registration platform has helped drive this growth.
Youth Registration Concerns
Although overall registrations are rising, the IEC remains worried about low participation among first‑time voters.
“Given that youth in the age category 18 and 19 years have not had multiple opportunities to enlist on a voters’ roll, and since they just became eligible, over 70 % in this cohort are still to register.” – Sy Mamabolo
Efforts to Engage Young People
The IEC’s Tertiary Institutions Campaign has already reached 269 000 students, resulting in 158 000 new registrations. Plans are underway to expand similar campaigns at higher education institutions to encourage registration, verification, and active participation.
Call to Action
Mamabolo urged all eligible South Africans, especially young people, to use the registration weekend—which coincides with Youth Month and the 50th anniversary of the June 16 uprising—to get on the voters’ roll. He stressed that taking part now helps ensure free, fair, and credible elections in the future.
Conclusion
With technology, staff, and outreach programs ready, the IEC is set to boost voter registration across the country. The upcoming weekend offers a crucial opportunity for 18‑ and 19‑year‑olds to exercise their democratic right and shape South Africa’s political landscape.
