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Home affairs extends office hours before 4 November elections

Published

Ongoing: Elections Hot

Home affairs front offices will open from 8am to 6pm from 2 to 4 November, and from 7am to 9pm on election day. Eligible voters can collect or apply for IDs, or get temporary identity certificates.

The Department of Home Affairs said the longer hours apply at all its front offices. The election-day hours of 7am to 9pm match the operating hours of the Electoral Commission of South Africa.

The department asked people who applied for identity documents to collect them and vote. The Electoral Commission (IEC) reminded voters that they need an acceptable ID at voting stations.

Key facts

Who
Department of Home Affairs (government department extending office hours); Electoral Commission of South Africa (election body whose operational hours the election-day hours align with); Ndileka Cola (spokesperson, Department of Home Affairs)
What
Home affairs front offices will open 8am to 6pm from November 2 to 4, and 7am to 9pm on election day, to let citizens collect, apply for IDs or obtain temporary identity certificates before the local government elections.
When
2 November 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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