The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa has introduced a WhatsApp-based service that eligible citizens can use to register for the upcoming local government elections, according to a report from EWN. The new channel is being launched ahead of the November polls, giving voters an additional way to sign up or check their registration status.
The announcement comes as the IEC reports a significant surge in voter registration activity. EWN’s coverage notes that 1.7 million people have already registered or updated their details in preparation for the November vote. Separate reporting from the Mail & Guardian indicates that the IEC added 754,000 new voters over two dedicated registration weekends, while News24 puts the total number of new voters added since 2024 at 2.1 million.
The WhatsApp line is part of the IEC’s broader push to make registration more accessible and to encourage participation ahead of the election. The South African Government News Agency has also urged citizens to register promptly, warning that time is running out before the voter roll closes.
The IEC has not yet confirmed the exact deadline for registration, but the agency has repeatedly stressed the importance of acting before the cutoff. With the November polls approaching, the new WhatsApp option is expected to help streamline the process for first-time voters and those needing to update their details.
What to watch next: the IEC’s official announcement of the final registration deadline, which will determine how much time remains for citizens to use the new WhatsApp service.
