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The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has removed the need for proof of residence to register or update voter details before the 2026 local government elections.

Voter registration for the 2026 local government elections is taking place across the country, and South Africans can now register, verify, or update their details without providing proof of residence. The IEC has called on eligible citizens to take full advantage of the voter registration weekend on June 20 and 21 to register, verify, or update their details ahead of the elections.

South Africans heading to voter registration stations this weekend will not be required to provide proof of residence when registering or updating their details on the voters’ roll, the IEC confirmed. Addressing a media briefing on Thursday, IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said all 23,706 registration stations across the country would be open from 8.00am to 5.00pm on both days.

“We call on all eligible South Africans to take full advantage of the registration weekend on 20 and 21 June to register, to verify and update their details in the voters’ roll,” Mamabolo said.

The IEC has confirmed that voters must present a South African identity document when registering, which may be a smart ID card, a green barcoded identity document, or a temporary identity certificate. Mamabolo clarified that proof of residence would not be required for registration, but the place of ordinary residence is required.

“If you don’t have a named address, you can provide sufficient details of your residence to enable registration officials to locate you in an appropriate ward segment of the voters’ roll,” he said.

The commission said the voter registration weekend presents an opportunity for South Africans to ensure their details are correctly captured on the voters’ roll, particularly following changes arising from the Municipal Demarcation Board’s review of ward boundaries.

Mamabolo said the IEC had undertaken a targeted campaign in May to reach voters affected by municipal boundary changes. During the campaign, the commission visited more than 303,000 affected voters across the country, adding 51,000 new voters to the roll and updating the registration details of 252,000 voters.

The IEC has also confirmed that it was fully prepared for the registration weekend, having delivered all voter registration materials to the country’s nine provinces and deployed 39,000 voter management devices to registration stations.

“These devices are central to modern voter registration operations and enable real-time citizen verification, accurate capture of voter details and seamless integration of registration data into the voters’ roll,” Mamabolo said.

The IEC has also welcomed the Department of Home Affairs’ decision to provide identity document services during the registration weekend, which will assist eligible citizens who require documentation for registration purposes.

In addition to visiting registration stations, voters can use the IEC’s online voter registration portal to register and update their details. Citizens may also register at local IEC offices during office hours by appointment.

The IEC’s website has more information on voter registration, and eligible citizens can check their registration status through the IEC’s website, online voter registration portal, mobile app, or WhatsApp chatbot.

Key Facts:

  • 23,706 voter registration stations will be open across the country
  • South Africans will not be required to provide proof of residence when registering or updating their details
  • 303,000 affected voters were visited by the IEC in May
  • 51,000 new voters were added to the roll during the campaign
  • 252,000 voters had their registration details updated

Voter Registration Process

To register to vote, South Africans need to present a South African identity document, which may be a smart ID card, a green barcoded identity document, or a temporary identity certificate. The IEC emphasizes that proof of residence is not required for registration, but the place of ordinary residence is required.

IEC’s Preparedness

The IEC has confirmed that it was fully prepared for the registration weekend, having delivered all voter registration materials to the country’s nine provinces and deployed 39,000 voter management devices to registration stations. These devices enable real-time citizen verification, accurate capture of voter details and seamless integration of registration data into the voters’ roll.

Online Registration

In addition to visiting registration stations, voters can use the IEC’s online voter registration portal to register and update their details. Citizens may also register at local IEC offices during office hours by appointment.