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Actor Tumisho Masha posts photo of his marked ballot paper

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Ongoing: Elections Hot

Actor Tumisho Masha shared an image of his inked thumb and a ballot paper on election day, saying he voted for ActionSA. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) prohibits photographs of marked ballots, so the post may breach its rules.

Masha posted the image on social media in the 2026 local government election. His post said ActionSA was the only party that knew how to fix Joburg. He voted in Lyndhurst, Joburg.

IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya said on Tuesday that ballot papers must be marked in secret. He said photographing a completed or marked ballot paper is strictly prohibited. He said the secrecy of every vote is a basic principle of South Africa's democracy.

Masha declined to comment on a possible police investigation and criminal charges.

Key facts

Who
Tumisho Masha (Actor who posted the ballot photo); Mosotho Moepya (IEC chairperson); Independent Electoral Commission (electoral body that said ballot photographs are prohibited); ActionSA (party Masha alleged he voted for)
What
On election day, Tumisho Masha shared an image of his inked thumb and the alleged marked ballot paper showing he voted for ActionSA, which the article says may breach IEC rules against photographing marked ballots. He declined to comment on a potential police investigation and criminal charges.
When
4 November 2026
Where
Lyndhurst, Joburg
Status
Reported

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