The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) will conduct a voter registration weekend in Gauteng and the Western Cape on Saturday, 22 November and Sunday, 23 November 2025, ahead of municipal by-elections scheduled for 03 February 2026. Voting stations in both provinces will operate from 08h00 to 17h00 to allow eligible voters to register and for current voters to check or update their information.
The Electoral Commission said the registration process is open to all South Africans who are eligible to vote. Voters must bring a green barcoded identity book, a smartcard identity document or a valid temporary identity certificate. The commission said voters will be required to provide their physical home address or adequate information about their place of residence; however, proof of address is not required.
IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela said the registration weekend is an important opportunity for communities to ensure their details are correct ahead of the by-elections. She said the commission encourages all eligible citizens to make use of the registration period. She said voters must visit the stations in the wards where they ordinarily reside. She said registering and voting in a ward where one is not ordinarily resident is a criminal offence.
Bapela said the commission has made preparations to ensure that all stations are ready to receive the public. She said staff will assist new voters and those updating their details. She said the commission wants to ensure that all eligible residents are included on the voters’ roll for the upcoming polls.
Voters who are unable to attend the registration weekend may visit their local IEC offices on weekdays during office hours to check or update their information. The commission said municipal offices will provide the same services offered at voting stations during the registration period.
The upcoming by-elections will take place in several municipalities, including Ward 02 in the Mogale City Municipality in Gauteng. The ward became vacant following the expulsion of a councillor by the MEC. Registration and voting for this ward will take place at designated stations that will operate during the registration weekend.
The commission said it will continue to make announcements about other wards where by-elections will be held. It said further details on voting station lists and logistics will be published ahead of the election date.
The commission said it aims to ensure that the by-elections proceed smoothly and that all voters have an opportunity to participate. It called on communities to respond to the registration process to strengthen democratic participation.
Bapela said the commission appreciates the cooperation of residents in both provinces. She said community involvement is essential for a credible election process. She said the IEC remains committed to ensuring accessible voting services for all eligible voters.
The voter registration weekend marks the official start of preparations for the February by-elections. The commission said it will continue to engage with communities and stakeholders as part of election readiness activities
