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Elderly special-vote applicants turn up at Kathorus polling stations

Published

Some elderly voters approved for special votes went to polling stations in Kathorus, Ekurhuleni, on election day, and said they did not know about special voting. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) said 1,425,942 people cast special votes on 2 and 3 November.

Election observers reported confusion over the process at polling stations in Kathorus, which includes Katlehong, Thokoza and Vosloorus. One observer said some senior citizens tried to use their age to move to the front of the queue. The observer said this was unfair to people who had waited.

An elderly voter in Kathorus said no one came to fetch her for a special vote as promised. She said the government makes promises and barely delivers.

The IEC said 2,655,067 special vote applications were approved nationwide. Of these, 974,852 people voted at voting stations and 451,090 voted through home visits. The IEC put the share of approved special voters who voted at about 53.7%.

There are 29.2 million registered voters for the 2026 local government elections.

Key facts

Who
Electoral Commission of South Africa (election management body that confirmed special vote figures)
What
Election observers reported confusion among senior citizens approved for special votes who turned up at polling stations in Kathorus on election day instead of voting earlier. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) said 1,425,942 people cast special votes over November 2 and 3, about 53.7% of the 2,655,067 approved applications.
When
4 November 2026
Where
Kathorus, Katlehong, Thokoza
Status
Reported

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