IEC approves record 2.6 million special vote applications for 2026 elections

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has approved a record 2 655 067 special vote applications ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, representing a 131% increase compared with the 1 147 759 applications approved for the 2021 elections.

The application period opened on September 21 and closed at 17:00 on October 12.

Special votes are available through home visits for voters unable to travel to their voting stations due to physical infirmity or disability, and voting station-based special votes for those who can reach their stations but cannot vote on Election Day.

Addressing the media in Pretoria on Wednesday, IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said 678 525 home visit applications had been approved, an increase of 171 118, or 33.7%, compared with the 507 407 approved in 2021.

KZN recorded the highest number of approved home visit applications, at 143 714.

“Most applications, totalling 2 426 066, were submitted through online platforms, while 171 214 manually submitted applications had been captured at IEC offices. The capturing process is being finalised, with completion targeted for October 16,” Mamabolo said.

Based on figures captured so far, Gauteng recorded the highest number of approved special vote applications, at 480 721, followed by the Eastern Cape with 401 971.

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KZN recorded 348 971 applications, Limpopo 341 623, Mpumalanga 292 775 and the Western Cape 291 866.

The North West recorded 235 733 applications, followed by the Free State with 132 088 and the Northern Cape with 129 319.

The IEC’s analysis also revealed differences in the age and gender profiles of special vote applicants. Women account for 74% of home visit applications and 64% of voting station-based applications.

Mamabolo said voters aged 60 and older accounted for 79.6% of home visit applications, with those aged between 70 and 79 making up the largest age group.

“The data, therefore, indicates that home visits are predominantly utilised by older voters, particularly older female voters. The voting station visits display a relatively younger and more gender-balanced profile,” he said.

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Gauteng recorded the highest number of special vote applicants among both women and men, with 305 586 female applicants and 172 200 male applicants. The Eastern Cape followed with 267 539 female applicants and 137 550 male applicants.

Election Results System audit

As part of its election preparations, the IEC gave political party contestants access to the Election Results System from October 5 to 12, following an external, independent audit and the implementation of remedial measures.

The exercise allowed contestants to test the system’s integrity, functionality, security and reliability.

Ballot paper production

Mamabolo said ballot paper printing was underway, with more than 66% of the 79 million ballots already printed.

Production is expected to be completed by Sunday, October 18.

“The Commission has distributed the bulk of non-security election materials to local municipalities in readiness for the special voting and Election Day,” Mamabolo said.

He added that all 23 696 voting stations had been secured, with leases concluded for 22 659 permanent voting stations.

“Arrangements are being finalised to establish temporary infrastructure at 1 005 temporary stations and to support 33 mobile voting stations.

“The Commission has also finalised the locations of the National and Provincial Results Operation Centres,” he said.

The IEC has urged voters to familiarise themselves with the voting process and make the necessary preparations ahead of the elections.