The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is preparing for the 2026 Local Government Elections by opening nearly 24,000 registration stations on June 20 and 21. IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo announced that the initiative aims to assist citizens in updating or confirming their voting details. To promote voter awareness, 800 outreach coordinators have been deployed, and over 62,000 community mobilization events have already taken place. The Department of Home Affairs will also extend operating hours at select offices to facilitate the application for identity documents prior to the registration weekend. A campaign targeting tertiary institutions has successfully engaged about 97,000 students, with 45,000 already registered. The IEC emphasizes the theme “Get Up. Show Up. Vote.” to encourage active participation among citizens while warning about the potential for misinformation on social media that could undermine electoral integrity. With political parties announcing mayoral candidates in major metros, the registration weekend is seen as a crucial opportunity to strengthen democratic participation as South Africa approaches the elections.