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Special voting starts slowly in Akasia and in Durban rain

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Ongoing: Elections Hot

Special voting for the 2026 Local Government Elections began on Monday. Only four elderly people were waiting at the Akasia station near Pretoria before 8am, while heavy rain fell in Durban. The IEC approved 2.65 million special vote applications.

Special voting lets eligible voters who cannot reach their polling stations on Voting Day cast their votes early. At the Akasia station in Karenpark, 5318 people had registered for special votes. Presiding Officer Boitumelo Marx ran the station.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said the 2.65 million approved applications are a 131% increase on the 2021 Local Government Elections. IEC officials are visiting voters who cannot reach voting stations. Voters who miss Monday can vote on Tuesday.

In eThekwini, voting began despite heavy rain and a Yellow Level 4 warning from the South African Weather Service for most of KwaZulu-Natal. The weather service warned of heavy downpours and hail. It said spring weather is likely to vary across the country during the voting period.

Voter Sathiel Mathekge chose a special vote because of ill-health. He said voting was his only chance to be heard and to bring change to his community.

Key facts

Who
Independent Electoral Commission (electoral body running special voting (referred to as IEC)); South African Weather Service (issued weather warning (referred to as SAWS)); Sathiel Mathekge (voter who opted for a special vote due to ill-health); Pheneus Khubutlo (voter who applied for a special vote due to work commitments)
What
Eligible voters began casting special votes in eThekwini on Monday despite heavy rain. More than 2.6 million voters are eligible for special votes nationally, and IEC officials are visiting those unable to reach voting stations; voters who miss Monday can vote on Tuesday.
When
2 November 2026
Where
eThekwini, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Status
Reported

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