The IEC hosted a multi-stakeholder engagement at Emnotweni Arena on August 5, ahead of local government elections.

Key stakeholders gathered to discuss electoral readiness and strengthen collaborative efforts to ensure credible elections ahead of the November 4 polling. Special voting will take place on November 2 and 3.

In all local municipalities, voters will cast three ballots in each ward: local council ward (party and/or independent candidates), local council proportional representation, and district council proportional representation.

IEC addresses proxy voting challenges

The engagement, led by IEC commissioner Titi Pitso, provincial electoral officer Gugu Langa, and the provincial management team, focused on key topics, including the state of readiness for the 2026 local government elections and the commission’s mandate to deliver free, fair, and credible elections.

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During the session, Langa addressed some of the challenges faced in relation to special votes. She noted that some family members apply on behalf of loved ones without their knowledge, emphasising that the commission discourages proxy applications.

“Applications are done online, and when we go to the person’s home, we find that the applicant is either not there or says they didn’t apply and refuse to vote. In those instances, it is a waste of resources, and we could have served a person who really needs the service,” Langa explained.

Langa added that anyone can apply, including those working on election day, provided they qualify. “We get a list of approved voters from national offices and use it to render services,” she said.

Police deploy security at voting stations

When asked about safety, Brigadier General Musa Phiri of the SAPS provincial head office reassured attendees that security personnel will be deployed at all voting stations.

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According to Phiri, the number of officers on site will depend on the area. “A low-risk station will have two officers, a medium-risk station will have four, and a high-risk station will have six,” Phiri said.
“Over and above that, members will be patrolling around the voting stations.”