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NewsbriefSouth Africa, briefly.
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IEC starts special votes ahead of 4 November elections

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About R2.6 million South Africans are expected to cast special votes over two days, the Electoral Commission said. Of these, 1.9 million will vote at designated voting stations, and officials will visit the rest at their registered addresses.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) will visit registered addresses on Monday and Tuesday. The visits let approved elderly voters and other special voters cast their ballots before the local government elections on Wednesday, 4 November.

Home Affairs offices will open for extended hours from 2 to 4 November for ID applications and collections. Home Affairs spokesperson Ndileka Cola said the offices will be open from 8 o'clock in the morning to 6 o'clock in the evening.

Key facts

Who
Electoral Commission of South Africa (election management body conducting the special votes and local government…); Sy Mamabolo (IEC chief electoral officer); Ndileka Cola (Home Affairs spokesperson)
What
About R2.6 million South Africans are expected to cast special votes over two days, with 1.9 million voting at designated voting stations and IEC officials visiting the rest at registered addresses. Home Affairs offices will open extended hours from 2 to 4 November for ID applications and collections.
When
2 November 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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