A record number of special vote applications has been received across iLembe District ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) regional manager Paul Daniel said more than 21 500 applications had been received, the highest number recorded in district history.

He was speaking at the district’s electoral code of conduct signing ceremony at KwaDukuza Town Hall last Wednesday.

“The applications have been large, never before have we had this large number of applications,” said Daniel.

According to figures presented by the IEC, applications include 8 691 home visits and 12 864 visits to voting stations.

KwaDukuza accounts for 3 239 home visit applications and 6 238 voting station applications.

Special voting will take place on November 2 and 3, from 8am-5pm.

Daniel welcomed the high number of applications for voting at voting stations, saying this would help reduce pressure on election day.

The district has 390 628 registered voters across 378 voting districts in KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Ndwedwe and Maphumulo.

KwaDukuza has the largest number, with 167 860 registered voters, followed by Mandeni (84 871), Ndwedwe (81 910) and Maphumulo (55 987).

However, 41 794 voters across the district have no addresses recorded on the voters’ roll.

Mandeni has the highest percentage at 20%, followed by Maphumulo (10%), while KwaDukuza and Ndwedwe each have 8%.

“These voters will have to provide an address before voting. Only then can they vote,” said Daniel.

Voters whose addresses are missing can provide their residential details to election officials, who must establish that they fall within the relevant voting area.

In KwaDukuza, 19 political parties and one independent candidate will contest the election for a 59-seat council, comprising 30 ward and 29 proportional representation seats.

The IEC has recruited 2 548 election staff across the district, including 916 in KwaDukuza.

Daniel said measures to protect the integrity of the election included staff verification, party agents observing proceedings and transparent counting procedures.

Voting stations will open at 7am on November 4 and close at 9pm, with counting taking place at each station.

Daniel reminded voters that election day was a public holiday intended to allow people to vote.

“It’s not a public holiday to go to the beach or to take a holiday to Mauritius,” he said.

Election results must be declared within seven days, although Daniel said previous elections had generally been concluded within three to four days.