MORE than 143 000 KwaZulu-Natal voters are expected to cast their ballots from home ahead of Wednesday’s Local Government Elections, with the IEC urging approved voters to remain at their registered addresses until election officials arrive.

Special voting began today on (November 2), and continues on Tuesday, November 3, from to 17:00 on both days. IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela said special voting caters for registered voters who cannot reach their voting stations due to physical infirmity or disability, as well as those unable to vote at their registered stations on Election Day for other qualifying reasons.

In preparation for the 2026 Local Government Elections, the IEC has deployed 127 000 electoral officials to administer both categories of special voting.

Bapela said that IEC approved a total of 143 714 KZN voters for home visits whom they urged to remain at their registered addresses during both days or until election officials have assisted them.

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“Due to the number of visits and the distances officials need to cover, teams will not return to an address if they arrive and find that the voter is unavailable,” said Bapela.

“However, voters who miss their scheduled home visit will still be able to exercise their right to vote at their registered voting station on Wednesday, November 4.”

The commission has also reminded voters that special votes will not be counted on November 2 and 3. Ballots will be securely stored and reconciled with special-vote records before being opened and counted alongside ballots cast on Election Day.

Meanwhile, the IEC has also encouraged voters to familiarise themselves with their ballot papers before heading to the polls.

Know your ballot

Voters registered in metropolitan municipalities will receive two ballot papers, one for the ward and another for the metropolitan council. Those registered in local council municipalities will receive three ballot papers.

A two-column ballot layout will be used, with the order of political parties determined through a draw that establishes where the alphabetical sequence begins.

Voters can check their registered voting stations and voters’ roll sequence numbers via WhatsApp on 0600 88 0000 or SMS to 32810 at a cost of R1.

“The IEC reminds voters to take a valid South African ID document when voting,” said Bapela.

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