Pretoria: The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has announced its preparedness for the Local Government Elections slated for 2026/7. The Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Masego Shiburi, addressed the media in Pretoria, highlighting the positive response from South Africans in registering and updating their details through various platforms ahead of the upcoming elections.
According to South African Government News Agency, Shiburi reported that from January to September 2025, over 305,206 new voters registered, while 60,752 voters updated their registration details. The peak of new registrations was noted in September, followed by significant numbers in August and February.
Shiburi emphasized that the majority of voters utilized Voter Management Devices, while others opted for online registration or visited local IEC offices. Despite the positive registration activity, he urged more citizens to register and update their details using the self-registration platform.
He advised voters to register where they reside and ensure their voting district and station details are current. This is particularly important for those who have relocated since their last registration.
On the topic of the Annual Report, Shiburi noted that the Electoral Commission presented a robust performance in their 2024/25 report to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs. The Commission achieved 92% of its key performance targets and maintained strong operations, including five consecutive clean audits.
Regarding political funding, Shiburi stated that the Commission reported a 90% compliance rate among represented parties, with most submitting audited financial statements. However, Build One SA and the National Coloured Congress faced formal directives for failing to submit on time. Among unrepresented parties, compliance was notably lower, prompting the Commission to issue directives to those in default.
Shiburi reiterated the legal and ethical obligations of parties to maintain accurate financial records under the Political Funding Act. The IEC continues to advocate for compliance and accountability.
The national consultation process on the potential adoption of electronic voting concluded on 30 September 2025. Shiburi highlighted that this initiative allowed citizens to express their views on digital voting.