IEC employs over 22,000 young people ahead of registration weekend

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says it has employed over 22 500 young people as it prepares for the nationwide voter registration weekend on the 20 and 21 June.

Eligible voters will be able to update their details ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

The commission says,71% of its 48 212 staff members are women.

IEC CEO, Sy Mamabolo, says more than 34 000 of those employed are unemployed citizens.

He has also urged young to take advantage of their right to vote.

“The commission reaffirms a commitment to advancing the aspiration of young people both as voters as well as candidates in the forthcoming elections. Given that youth in the category 18 and 19 years have not had multiple opportunities to enlist on the voters roll and since they just became eligible, over 70% in this age cohort are still expected to register. The commission therefore urges all eligible youth, especially first time voters, to seize this opportunity to register and to participate in the forthcoming elections,” said Mamabolo.

Registration will take place between 8am and 5pm.

The IEC says it will also roll out phase two of its Tertiary Institution Campaign (TIC) to strengthen youth participation in elections. By 31 March, the campaign had reached 269,552 students nationwide, with 158 446 newly registered.

Mamabolo urged eligible but unregistered voters to visiting voting stations this weekend, noting that more than 11 million South Africans are still not registered.

He added that Kwa Zulu-Natal has the highest number of voting stations, with more than 5000 sites.

The IEC confirmed that the total number of voting stations has increased from 23 151 to 23 706 for the upcoming elections.

The IEC says more than 48,000 staff members have been deployed in preparation for the elections, with an estimated 28 million South Africans expected to vote.

Mamabolo also encouraged voters to update their details on the IEC’s online portal, particularly their addresses, to ensure correct ward placement.

“In the context of local government elections, the correct placement of voters in wards is crucial for the delivery of free and fair elections. The commission calls on every voter to update their details, especially the address, as this will place them on the correct segment of the voters roll. Therefore the voter registration weekend offers an opportunity to ensure that voters details are accurately captured and accordingly updated,” he said.

📍 Uzobe ukuphi ngomhla ka-4 November 2026?
In LGE, you must register where you live and vote where you are registered? LGE allow you to vote for representatives who will directly serve your community.

📲 Find your voting station here:https://t.co/uV0zCHV27k pic.twitter.com/uDi4E6zmXJ

— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) June 18, 2026

Written by: Odirile Rabalao