Voter registration this weekend for Municipal Ward By-elections to be held on 25 March 2026

The Electoral Commission will this weekend, Saturday, 07 February 2026 and Sunday, 08 February 2026 hold voter registration in the Western Cape ahead of the municipal by-elections scheduled to take place on Wednesday 25 March 2026.

Voting stations will open from 08h00 to 17h00 to allow all eligible voters to register and for current voters to check their registration details and to provide/update address details where necessary.

The Electoral Commission reminds eligible voters to bring their identity document (ID) for registration, either a green barcoded ID book, a smartcard ID, or a valid Temporary ID Certificate. 
Eligible voters will be required to complete their physical home address on registration or provide sufficient particulars of their place of residence. Documented proof of address (e.g., a municipal account) is not required. 

Voters may also check and update their details at their local (municipal) Electoral Commission (IEC) office on weekdays during office hours. 
Voters are reminded that it is a criminal offence to register and vote in a ward in which they are not ordinarily resident.

The by-elections will be held as follows: 

Western Cape


Ward 104 in the City of Cape Town Municipality – CPT, the ward became vacant because of the councillor’s resignation.

Registration and voting will take place at the following stations:

Voting District/Station Number Voting Station Details
97120379 MASIKHULULEKE CENTRE
97120481 SOPHAKAMA PRIMARY SCHOOL
97120492 DU NOON PRIMARY SCHOOL
97120515 ST LAURENCE CHURCH
97120571 INKWENKWEZI HIGH SCHOOL
97120582 ZUSAKHE CRECHE
97120593 OLD APOSTOLIC CHURCH (SHACK) SITE 5
97120605 ABOMELEZI CENTRE


  • Ward 05 in the Oudtshoom Municipality – WC045, the ward became vacant because of the councillor’s resignation.

Registration and voting will take place at the following stations:

Voting District/Station Number Voting Station Details
98280074 SONSKYNHOEKIE - CRECHE
98280153 BRIDGTON SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL
98280197 SMARTIE TOWN CRECHE


Voters wishing to apply to cast a special vote can apply online via the IEC’s website, www.elections.org.za, between 09 March 2026 and 13 March 2026.

Special voting will take place at voting stations as well as through home visits on 24 March 2026 between 08h00 and 17h00. 

Once voters have applied online, they will receive an SMS notifying them of the outcome when their application has been processed.

They can also check the status of their special vote application on the IEC website. Voters can also visit their local IEC office weekdays during office hours.

Voters can also apply for special votes via cell phone by SMSing their identity number to 32249 (charged at R1).

The SMS application facility is only available for those applying to cast a special vote at their voting station and NOT for home visits.


ELECTION TIMETABLE FOR ALL MUNICIPAL BY-ELECTIONS CALLED ON OR BEFORE 13 FEBRUARY 2026 TO BE HELD ON 25 MARCH 2026

The cut-off dates for the various electoral processes for these by-elections are as follows:

13 February 2026 Notice calling the by-election on or before, and opening of nomination of candidates
16 February 2026 Open inspection voters’ roll for objections
23 February 2026 Close inspection voters’ roll for objections
03 March 2026 Electoral Commission to decide on objections to voters’ roll
04 March 2026 Certification of voters’ roll
04 March 2026 @17h00 Cut-off date and time for submission of nomination of candidates
05 March 2026 Cut-off date to notify party/independent nominator of non-compliance of outstanding candidate documents
06 March 2026 Notices: List of and particulars pertaining to voting stations and mobile voting stations 
06 March 2026 @ 17h00 Cut-off date for party/independent nominator to submit ID copy and/or signed Acceptance of Nomination
09 March 2026 Opening of applications for special votes
09 March 2026 Compilation and certification of lists of candidates contesting a ward
09 March 2026 Issue certificates to candidates
13 March 2026 Closing of applications for special votes
24 March 2026 Special votes at voting stations and special vote home visits, 08h00 to 17h00
25 March 2026 By-election date

               (Note: All deadlines are at 17h00 on the dates listed)


ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION

Ensuring free and fair elections

Centurion

For media queries: Please contact Kate Bapela on 082 600 6386

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