Voter registration this weekend for Wards to be contested in Municipal Ward By-elections on 03 February 2026

The Electoral Commission will this weekend, Saturday, 22 November 2025 and Sunday, 23 November 2025 hold voter registration in Gauteng and the Western Cape ahead of municipal by-elections scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 03 February 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: 

Gauteng

  • Ward 02 in the Mogale City Municipality – GT481, the ward became vacant following the expulsion of councillor by the MEC.

Registration and voting will take place at the following stations:

Voting District/Station Number Voting Station Details
33250485 Community Hall Rietvallei Ext 1
33250698 Thuthuzekani Primary School

Western Cape

  • Ward 04 in the Cederberg Municipality – WC012, the ward became vacant because of the termination of councillor’s membership from the party.

Registration and voting will take place at the following stations:

Voting District/Station Number /Voting Station Details
97640017 Graafwater Spesiale Skool
97730017 Eland Bay Community Hall
97820028 Sandberg NGK Primêre Skool

 

  • Ward 04 in the Langeberg Municipality – WC026, the ward became vacant because of the resignation of councillor.

Registration and voting will take place at the following stations:

Voting District/Station Number /Voting Station Details
97890014 Happy Valley Community Hall


Voters wishing to apply to cast a special vote can apply online via the IEC’s website, www.elections.org.za, between 19 January 2026 and 23 January 2026Special voting will take place at voting stations as well as through home visits on 02 February 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.

For more information on these by-elections, contact your local (municipal) IEC office weekdays during office hours. Contact details for all IEC offices are available on the IEC website at www.elections.org.za under Contact Us.


    ELECTION TIMETABLE FOR ALL MUNICIPAL BY-ELECTIONS CALLED ON OR BEFORE 28 NOVEMBER TO BE HELD ON 03 FEBRUARY 2026

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

    28 November 2025 Notice calling the by-election on or before, and opening of nomination of candidates
    01 December 2025 Open inspection voters’ roll for objections
    04 December 2025 Close inspection voters’ roll for objections
    12 December 2025 Electoral Commission to decide on objections to voters’ roll
    15 December 2025 Certification of voters’ roll
    15 December 2025 at 17h00 Cut-off date and time for submission of nomination of candidates
    17 December 2025 Cut-off date to notify party/independent nominator of non-compliance of outstanding candidate documents
    16 January 2026 Notices: List of and particulars pertaining to voting stations and mobile voting stations 
    16 January 2026 at 17h00 Cut-off date for party/independent nominator to submit ID copy and/or signed Acceptance of Nomination
    19 January 2026 Opening of applications for special votes
    19 January 2026 Compilation and certification of lists of candidates contesting a ward
    19 January 2026 Issue certificates to candidates
    23 January 2026 Closing of applications for special votes
    02 February 2026 Special votes at voting stations and special vote home visits, 08h00 to 17h00
    03 February 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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