This Content is for Subscribers Only
the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says preparations for the upcoming 2026/27 Local Government Elections are fully underway. Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Shiburi announced on 04 October 2025 in Pretoria that more than 305,000 new voters have registered between January and September 2025, signaling growing public participation ahead of the polls.
What Happened
Shiburi confirmed that the IEC is encouraged by the surge in voter registration activity.
From January to September 2025, over 305,206 new voters registered, while 60,752 voters updated their registration details.
The highest registration activity was recorded in September (71,324), followed by August (51,714) and February (39,967).
Most voters—76.8%—registered using Voter Management Devices (VMDs), while 12% opted for the online registration portal, and 10% visited local IEC offices.
Shiburi encouraged more South Africans to use the convenient self-registration platform to register or update their details.
The official election date is yet to be announced by the Minister of Home Affairs.
Official Response
Shiburi also presented emphasized from the IEC’s 2024/25 Annual Report, which was submitted to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on 14 October 2025.
The report reflects the Commission’s consistent performance, achieving 92%.
In terms of political funding, the IEC reported a 90% compliance rate among represented political parties, with 18 of 20 submitting audited financial statements. However, Build One SA and the National Coloured Congress (CCC) missed the 30 September deadline and were issued formal directions for non-compliance.
Among 438 unrepresented political parties, only 28% met reporting requirements.
Community Impact
The IEC’s readiness ensures that South Africa’s democratic processes remain transparent and accessible.
Increased voter registrations demonstrate growing public confidence, while digital platforms have simplified participation, especially for young and mobile citizens.
Moreover, the Commission’s clean audit record and emphasis on compliance strengthen accountability across the political landscape. The potential adoption of e-voting could be a major step toward modernizing South Africa’s electoral system.
