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DA asks IEC to explain ballot paper delays in special voting

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The Democratic Alliance says late delivery of ballot papers hit voting stations in five provinces during special voting. The party wants a timeline, a guarantee for approved special voters, and an explanation to parties before election day on Wednesday.

DA national spokesperson Jan de Villiers said the party wrote to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) with three requests. The DA says the delays affected stations in the Western Cape, Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.

The party asked for a timeline, a guarantee that approved special voters can vote, and a full explanation to parties in the party liaison committee. De Villiers said voters need reassurance that similar delays will not happen on election day, when all ballot papers must be in place.

Special voting continues on Tuesday. About 2.6 million South Africans are approved for special votes in the 2026 local government elections.

Key facts

Who
Jan de Villiers (DA national spokesperson); Democratic Alliance (political party that wrote to the IEC); Independent Electoral Commission (electoral body that received the DA letter)
What
The Democratic Alliance says delays in delivering ballot papers affected voting stations in several provinces during special voting, which continues on Tuesday ahead of election day on Wednesday. The party has asked the IEC for a timeline, a guarantee that approved special voters can vote, and an explanation to parties in the party liaison committee.
When
3 November 2026
Where
Western Cape, Gauteng, Free State
Status
Reported

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