IEC explains braille ballot templates for blind voters
Ongoing: Elections Hot
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) said visually impaired voters who read braille can mark ballots alone and in private in the 2026 local government elections. Voting continues until 9pm on Wednesday.
IEC deputy chief electoral officer Masego Sheburi said the longest universal ballot template can hold 80 candidates. He said it works very well where there are more than 76 candidates, because the ballot then follows the template sequence. He said shorter double-column ballots need electoral staff to help braille-literate voters with numbering and sequence, so that votes are not miscast.
Sheburi also spoke about party regalia. He said voters may come to a voting station in any regalia they choose. He said a voter who only marks a ballot and then leaves is allowed to do so.
Sheburi thanked the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure for helping to create a good environment for the elections. He said the Department of Home Affairs opened its offices to citizens who lost their identity documents. He also thanked Eskom for dealing with electricity problems at voting stations.
Sheburi called on all South Africans who had not yet voted to go and cast their ballots.
Key facts
- Who
- Masego Sheburi (IEC deputy chief electoral officer); Electoral Commission of South Africa (election management body); National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (thanked for its role in creating a conducive environment for the elections); Department of Home Affairs (availed its offices so citizens who mislaid IDs could get replacement documents)
- What
- IEC deputy chief electoral officer Masego Sheburi outlined measures for visually impaired voters, including braille ballot templates, rules on party regalia at voting stations, and a call to vote. Voting was continuing until 9pm on the day of the article.
- When
- 4 November 2026
- Where
- South Africa
- Status
- Reported