The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has reminded eligible voters that applications for special votes for the upcoming local government elections close at 17:00 on Monday, 12 October.
The local government elections are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
IEC EXPLAINS WHAT IS AND WHO QUALIFIES FOR A SPECIAL VOTE
Special votes are intended to allow eligible voters who may be unable to vote on election day to exercise their democratic right.
In a statement issued last month, the IEC said voters who would be away from their voting districts on election day, including people working in essential services and members of the media, could apply for a special vote.
Applications can be submitted through the IEC’s website at www.elections.org.za or by visiting a local IEC office, excluding the national and provincial offices.
Voters can also apply by sending their identity number via SMS to 32249 at a cost of R1 per SMS. This option is available only to voters applying to cast a special vote at a voting station.
Applicants visiting an IEC office must submit a completed Special Vote Application form. The forms must be hand-delivered, as applications sent by email or fax will not be accepted. However, another person may deliver the completed form on an applicant’s behalf.
The IEC provides for two categories of special votes:
- The first is a home visit for voters who are unable to travel to a voting station because of their physical condition. If approved, an election official will visit the voter at their place of confinement, provided it is within the voting district where they are registered.
- The second category is for voters who can physically reach their voting station but are unable to vote there on election day. If their applications are approved, they may cast their votes at their registered voting stations during the two days before election day.
The IEC emphasised that voters must cast their special votes at the voting station where they are registered. For approved home visits, voting will take place at the voter’s registered address within the relevant voting district.
🚨 Special Vote applications close tomorrow, 12 October 2026!
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) October 11, 2026
If you are eligible, apply today to ensure you can participate in #LGE2026.
📲 Apply online: https://t.co/DIHlGe27X3
📲 Or SMS ID to 32249
Get Up ⬆️ Show Up ⬆️ Vote 🗳️#WozaLGE2026 #SpecialVote pic.twitter.com/WoANXzy6eS
OVER 136 000 CANDIDATES TO CONTEST ELECTIONS
Meanwhile, a total of 136 790 candidates have met the statutory requirements to contest the upcoming local government elections.
The candidates will compete for seats across South Africa’s eight metropolitan municipalities, 44 district municipalities and 205 local municipalities.
During a recent post-Cabinet media briefing, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni urged South Africans, particularly young people and first-time voters, to participate in the elections.
“Cabinet encourages all South Africans, especially young people and first-time voters, to exercise their right to vote. Every vote matters and helps to keep our democracy strong,” Ntshavheni said.
She also called on political parties and independent candidates to respect the Electoral Code of Conduct and demonstrate political tolerance during the election campaign.