IEC Anticipates 1 Voter Registration Weekend for 2026 Local Government Elections

• The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said that the financial constraints in its budget could affect the 2026 Local General Elections' preparations
• The IEC's Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, said that the commission is in talks with the National Treasury to extend the number of voter registration weekends
• South Africans accused the African National Congress of deliberately sabotaging the elections for fear that the party was losing power

With over seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News, Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist, offered insights into South African politics, national, provincial, and local governance, the Government of National Unity, political parties, and Parliament.

PIETERMARITZBURG, KWAZULU-NATAL —The Independent Electoral Commission is in talks with the National Treasury to increase its budget as it harbours concerns that there may only be one voter registration weekend for the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The IEC's Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, said on 21 August 2025 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, that the commission would ideally have hoped for two voter registration weekends. However, there was no guarantee that this could be a reality.

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Mamabolo said that the registration weekend is expected to be in June 2026. Fiscal challenges could limit the number of voter registration weekends to one. Mamabolo also said that electronic voting would not be implemented next year. However, there are policy discussions about implementing it in the upcoming elections.

A look at the IEC in the news

The IEC appeared before the Portfolio Commission on Home Affairs on 15 July 2025 and provided a report of the 2024 general elections. Mamabolo, in his presentation, said that the Commission battled disinformation on social media as part of the unprecedented challenges it experienced during the elections.

The IEC also expressed its support for the introduction of electronic voting and pointed out that it would promote efficiency. The IEC's head of research, Thabo Rapoo, said that electronic voting would make it easier to cast and count votes.

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What did South Africans say?

Netizens commenting on Facebook blamed the ANC and accused it of trying to sabotage the upcoming elections.

Olebogeng Motlogelwa said:

"I suspect something with the IEC. They know the ANC is about to lose power."

Kagiso Rakobone Maimela said:

"The ANC knows that they are finished. Every trick counts."

Northern Cape News Vine said:

"The ANC is coming up with all sorts of creative ideas, even hunting rabbits with the Khoi-San in an attempt to secure votes for the coming LGE 2026."

Marvin Cebo Mbuyisa said:

"Costs or no cost, enough is enough. The IEC's employers' days are coming to an end."

Teboho Metsing said:

"It's their strategy to create a sense of urgency so that people grab this one chance."

Thabani Ndlovu said:

"The IEC has had financial challenges for quite some time now."

IEC rejects Islamic State political party

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In a related article, Briefly News reported that the IEC rejected the Islamic state of Africa's registration as a political party. This was after hundreds of South Africans objected to the registration.

Mamabolo confirmed on 12 July 2025 that over 200 people objected to the registration. He added that many were worried that the party promoted Sharia-based policies.

Source: Briefly News