With the 2026 local government elections fast approaching, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is urging South Africans not to delay registering to vote — warning that time is running out.

The call comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that the country will head to the polls on 4 November 2026, setting in motion a critical countdown for voters.

While the date has been announced, it has not yet been formally proclaimed. That responsibility now lies with Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, whose official gazetting of the election date will trigger a key deadline.

Once proclaimed, the voters’ roll will close — meaning no new registrations or updates to residential addresses will be accepted.

IEC spokesperson David Mandaha stressed that many South Africans may not fully understand the urgency of this window.

“The announcement does not constitute the formal proclamation of the election date,” Mandaha explained. “In terms of the law, once the Minister proclaims the date, the voters’ roll will be closed.”

This effectively leaves a narrowing gap for eligible voters — particularly first-time voters and those who have moved — to ensure they are properly registered and able to participate.

The IEC has also placed emphasis on encouraging young South Africans to take part in the democratic process, amid concerns about declining voter turnout and engagement.

As political parties ramp up campaigning ahead of November, the commission’s message is clear: participation starts with registration.

With the clock ticking and the legal cutoff approaching, the responsibility now shifts to citizens to secure their place on the voters’ roll — or risk being left out of one of the country’s most consequential electoral moments.

This article was originally posted by EWN