More than 2.6 million approved special voters across South Africa will cast their ballots as the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) opens another special voting day ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

The special voting process is designed to ensure that registered voters who cannot reach their voting stations on Election Day because of physical infirmity, disability or other qualifying circumstances can exercise their constitutional right to vote.

According to the IEC, a total of 2 655 067 voters have been approved for special voting.

Of these, 678 525 will receive home visits, while 1 976 542 are expected to cast their ballots at their registered voting stations.

KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of approved home visits, with 143 714 voters, while Gauteng leads the voting-station category with 391 589 approved voters. Gauteng also recorded the highest overall provincial special-voting figure, with 480 721 approved voters.

Voters who miss their scheduled home visits will, however, still be able to cast their ballots at their registered voting stations on November 4.

The commission has stressed that special votes will not be counted on November 2 and 3.

Ballots will be securely stored, reconciled with the relevant records and counted together with Election Day ballots. Party agents, representatives of independent candidates and accredited observers will be permitted to monitor the process in accordance with electoral regulations.

Security cluster on standby

Meanwhile, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) has assured South Africans that security arrangements are in place to safeguard the elections across all nine provinces.

Addressing the media at the Natjoints Co-ordinating Centre, Natjoints chairperson Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said the Security Cluster had activated national and provincial operational structures to co-ordinate deployments and respond to potential threats.

“Our state of readiness is informed by sustained interdepartmental planning, intelligence assessments, security inspections and lessons drawn from previous electoral processes, undertaken in collaboration with the IEC and other relevant stakeholders,” Mosikili said.

She confirmed that voting stations had undergone security assessments, with deployments informed by identified threats, vulnerabilities and operational requirements.

The security strategy includes intelligence-led operations, contingency planning, specialised units and roving operational teams.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is also on standby to support police in identified hotspot areas should circumstances require intervention.

The Natjoints Co-ordinating Centre will monitor developments in real time, providing early warnings and co-ordinating responses across the country.

Police stations will remain operational throughout the electoral period to respond to emergencies, investigate crime and maintain ordinary policing services.

Crackdown on election crime

However, authorities have expressed concern about election-related crime.

Since the commencement of the 2026 election processes, more than 139 election-related dockets have been registered nationally.

A total of 48 suspects have been arrested, 69 cases remain under investigation, eight have been submitted to the Senior Public Prosecutor for a decision, while 25 have been enrolled in court.

Electoral Act offences account for 62 reported cases, with 22 arrests, while other reported incidents include 14 assaults, 10 intimidation cases, eight cases of malicious damage to property, seven theft cases and one attempted murder.

Mosikili highlighted concerns about violence involving political representatives, party members and supporters.

“We remain particularly concerned about incidents involving the loss of life during the election period,” she said.

Security assessments are also monitoring service-delivery protests, community tensions, anti-foreigner sentiments and labour disputes.

Taxi-related violence in the Western Cape and protest-related developments in KwaZulu-Natal remain among the operational concerns.

The Security Cluster has warned political parties and candidates that campaigning must conclude by midnight on Tuesday, November 3. No campaigning, political persuasion, intimidation or coercion will be permitted on Election Day. Such conduct may constitute an offence under the Electoral Act.

The IEC has also warned of potentially challenging weather conditions, with rainfall expected in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape. Other provinces, including North West, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Free State, are expected to experience hot conditions.

Keep this handy:
• WhatsApp IEC: 0600 88 0000
• IEC Contact Centre: 0800 11 8000
• SMS: 32810 (SMS costs R1)

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