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IEC says it is ready for 2 days of special voting

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The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) approved 2 655 067 voters for special votes ahead of the Local Government Elections on Wednesday, 4 November. Voting stations open from 8am to 5pm on both days, and 127 000 officials are deployed.

IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo spoke at a media briefing on Sunday night. He said 678 525 approved special votes will be cast at residences, for voters with a physical infirmity or disability. Another 1 976 542 will be cast at registered voting stations.

Gauteng has the most approved special voters, at 480 721. The Eastern Cape has 401 971 and KwaZulu-Natal has 348 971. KwaZulu-Natal has the most approved home visits, at 143 714, and Gauteng has the most station-based special votes, at 391 589.

Special votes will be counted with the Election Day ballots. Mamabolo said: "Voters are reminded that they can only vote where they are registered." Voters can check their special vote status by SMS to 32711, at R1 per message.

Key facts

Who
Sy Mamabolo (IEC Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)); Electoral Commission of South Africa (election management body, addressed media briefing on Sunday night)
What
The IEC said it is ready for special votes on 2 and 3 November 2026, with 2 655 067 voters approved for special votes, 127 000 electoral officials deployed, and voting stations open 8am to 5pm on both days. Special votes will be counted alongside Election Day ballots.
When
1 November 2026
Where
South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng
Status
Reported

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