Special voting for the 2026 Local Government Elections got underway today (November 2) with reports from across the country indicating that the process was largely orderly, despite claims of irregular registrations in KZN.

Voting stations opened at 08:00 and closed at 17:00. The same times are applicable for tomorrow (November 3) giving registered voters an opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day on Wednesday (November 4).

According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), close to 99% of voting stations opened on time today (November 2), with early reports from various communities pointing to an efficient process and little congestion.

In Durban North, residents who visited voting stations in wards 34 and 110 told Northglen News that casting their special votes was quick and convenient.

Some voters said they had completed the process in less than three minutes, while others praised IEC officials for explaining the procedures and assisting voters.

In Potchefstroom, the first day also started quietly, with relatively few voters making their way to voting stations. The Potchefstroom Herald reported that those who arrived were able to cast their ballots without significant delays.

Among them were Annette and Kassie Karstens who voted early because they will be assisting on Election Day.

The special voting process also provided an opportunity for elderly and disabled residents to participate.

At Park Care Centre in Parktown, Johannesburg, elderly residents gathered in the chapel to cast their ballots.

Keith Elkington who uses a wheelchair said he was pleased to have voted and to play his part in democracy. Fellow resident Steven Waddell also praised the smooth process, according to the Rosebank Killarney Gazette.

In the Ngwathe municipal area, 91-year-old Alinah Mokgemisa walked through the heat to cast her ballot at the Schonkenville Community Hall in Parys.

According to the Parys Gazette, 27 of the 158 voters registered for special voting at the hall had cast their ballots by 11:00.

Other voting stations in the area were quieter, with nine people having voted at the N.G. Wes church hall by 10:00, while only two of the seven registered voters at the temporary station at Parys District Hospital had cast their ballots by the same time.

Despite a few initial hiccups, most stations visited by the publication reported an orderly process.

More than 2.6 million approved for special votes

The IEC has approved 2 655 067 special votes for the 2026 Local Government Elections, a significant increase from previous elections.

Of these, 678 525 voters have been approved for home visits because of physical infirmity or disability, while 1 976 542 will cast their ballots at their registered voting stations.

KZN recorded the highest number of approved home visits, with 143 714, followed by Gauteng.

Gauteng has the highest overall number of approved special votes, with 480 721, followed by the Eastern Cape with 401 971 and KZN with 348 971.

Women account for 74% of approved home visits and 64% of voting station-based special votes, according to the commission.

The IEC has reminded registered voters approved for home visits to remain at the addresses provided in their applications during the two days of special voting.

Newcastle parties raise alarm over registrations

However, the largely positive start to special voting was accompanied by allegations of possible irregularities in the Amajuba District in KZN.

Three political parties in the district have called for an investigation by the Electoral Court into the registration of special voters.

During a media briefing on Thursday (October 29), Newcastle & District Residents Forum leader Matthew Shunmugam alleged that the municipality had obtained residents’ personal information during mayoral programmes and events and used it to register them for special votes without their knowledge or consent.

According to the Newcastle Advertiser, Shunmugam said an analysis of a copy of the special voters’ register had revealed what he described as a significant disparity between Newcastle West and Newcastle East, particularly concerning the number of voters registered for voting station-based special votes rather than home visits.

He questioned the number of registrations in certain wards, saying one ward alone had more than 1 500 special vote registrations.

According to Shunmugam, the parties had obtained affidavits from residents who claimed they had not applied for special votes but had received SMS notifications from the IEC confirming their registration.

He said the parties had reported the matter to the IEC and opened a case with the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein.

The parties also wanted the special votes and Election Day votes counted separately to establish the impact of the special votes on the final results.

The IEC acknowledged the newspaper’s media enquiry and said it would consult district officials before responding. Newcastle Municipality had not responded to the allegations by the time of publication.

The allegations have not been independently verified.

Voting stations will be open from 07:00 to 21:00 on Election Day.

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