Pretoria:As South Africans prepare for the 2026 Local Government Elections, registered voters who may not be available on Election Day have begun participating in the special voting process. At Balebogeng Primary School in Mamelodi, Pretoria, voters described the process as smooth and efficient, encouraging young people to vote in numbers on Wednesday to influence their communities' future.

According to South African Government News Agency, Peter Mamahlodi from Mamelodi East applied for a special vote due to work commitments that may prevent him from voting on Election Day. Mamahlodi was satisfied with the swift process and the lack of queues at the voting station. He emphasized the importance of youth participation in elections, noting that elected leaders' decisions directly impact their future.

Petrus Mtshweni, a 69-year-old voter from Mamelodi East, viewed voting as an opportunity to elect leaders who will address unemployment and improve social support. Mtshweni expressed a desire for leaders to create employment opportunities for young people and provide better support for older citizens. He praised the voting process and election officials for their assistance, particularly for older voters.

IEC official Nomaqhala Madiseng reported that the special voting process proceeded smoothly, with officials assisting both station visitors and those receiving home visits. She noted that there were no challenges faced and that voters who applied but could not attend would still be able to vote on Election Day.

Across the country, 2,655,067 voters were approved for special votes. This process supports those unable to reach voting stations due to physical infirmity or absence on Election Day. Of these, 678,525 will vote through home visits, while 1,976,542 will vote at their registered stations. Gauteng recorded the highest number of station-based special votes and overall special voters, followed by the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.