IEC boosts registration capacity and security for voter weekend

Voting stations are expected to open at 8am for voter registration for the November Local Government Elections. The Electoral Commission of South Africa says all voting stations will be open until 5pm in the afternoon, this Saturday and Sunday.

The IEC in the Western Cape has added additional voting stations to expand its capacity during the first voter registration weekend ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

The commission has also upgraded its voter management devices as thousands of residents are expected to register or update their voter details. The IEC briefed the media in Cape Town on Friday.

Concerns have been raised about accessibility at some voting stations due to adverse weather conditions in the province, as well as ongoing gang violence in certain communities.

Western Cape Provincial Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse says security personnel will be deployed across the province to ensure that voter registration proceeds without disruption.

Hendrickse says, “When it comes to the gang violence, specifically violent crime: our country and this province isn’t immune to the scourge that plays throughout society. We work very closely with the South African Police Services, the local law enforcement and we’re even in engagements with the CPFs so we can ensure that our voting stations, people can come to our voting stations safely, actually come and register and walk home again safely.”

The IEC says the additional voting stations and upgraded technology are aimed at improving service delivery and ensuring a smooth voter registration process across the province.

IEC ready for nationwide voter registration weekend