Media Statement

The African National Congress (ANC) welcomes the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Voter Registration Weekend Outcomes. Of notable significance is the youth voter turnout which contributed to the national total of 2 943 724, aptly on the Youth Month in response to The Future Calls – Reset @50 as a theme and call to action for young people to participate in nation building, carving a future for the youth of the country and a better life for all.

The voter turnout is not about numbers but the direct involvement of citizens in the life and future of the country, deepening and defending democracy and advancing freedom.

The ANC thanks the people of South Africa and new voters in registering to vote in the forthcoming local government elections scheduled for the 4th November 2026. These elections are a victory for democracy, its resilience, the constitutional imperative of free, fair, regular elections, the legitimacy of the state and an expression of the will of the people.

The ANC congratulates the IEC, electoral staff, political parties, volunteers, and all stakeholders who contributed to the successful registration weekend. We further urge the public to remain vigilant against misinformation and disinformation regarding voter registration and electoral processes and to rely on official IEC communication platforms for accurate information.

Local government remains the sphere of government closest to the people and is central to service delivery, local economic development, infrastructure provision, and improving the quality of life of communities. As the ANC, we remain committed to strengthening municipalities, improving governance, and decisively fixing local government in line with our priority of investing in people and transforming communities.

We thank South Africans for their enthusiastic participation despite the cold winter conditions. The impressive turnout reflects the enduring patriotism of our people and their commitment to the values of our Constitution.

The ANC calls on all eligible South Africans, particularly young people, to continue registering to vote as voter registration remains open. We will intensify mobilisation efforts across the country as we prepare for the second Open Registration Weekend.

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