Pretoria:The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has confirmed its readiness to conduct special voting on Monday and Tuesday, leading up to the 2026 Local Government Elections scheduled for Wednesday, 4 November. A total of 2,655,067 voters have been approved for special votes, aimed at accommodating those who cannot reach voting stations due to physical challenges or other commitments on Election Day.
According to South African Government News Agency, IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo announced during a media briefing that the special votes will be conducted in two forms home visits and voting station-based special voting. Of the approved voters, 678,525 are set to vote at their residences due to physical infirmities, while 1,976,542 will cast their votes at designated voting stations. The province of KwaZulu-Natal has the highest number of home visit approvals at 143,714, while Gauteng leads in voting station-based approvals with 391,589.
The IEC has deployed 127,000 electoral officials to facilitate the voting process over the next two days. Voting stations will be operational from 8 am to 5 pm for those approved for special voting. Voters are reminded to cast their votes at their registered stations and can verify their special vote status via SMS or contact the IEC through various communication channels.
The IEC has emphasized the strict procedures in place to protect the integrity of the ballots, including secure storage until counting. Political party agents and observers are allowed to oversee the process. Additionally, the IEC has urged all stakeholders to maintain the integrity of the voting process by avoiding any actions that could disrupt it.
Weather conditions are also a concern, with potential rainfall expected in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and the Western Cape, whereas other provinces may experience hot weather. The IEC advises voters to stay informed about local forecasts and take necessary precautions.
The Commission expressed gratitude to voters, political participants, and supportive agencies for their cooperation and contributions to ensuring a secure voting environment.