The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has reminded voters that applications for special votes in the 2026 Local Government Elections close at 5pm on Monday, 12 October.
The elections will take place on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
Special votes are available to registered voters who cannot vote on election day because of their physical condition or because they will be away from their voting district, including people working in essential services and the media.
Applications can be submitted through the IEC website at www.elections.org.za or by SMSing an identity number to 32249 at a cost of R1 per SMS for special votes at voting stations.
Voters can also submit application forms in person at their local IEC office. Forms must be hand-delivered, although another person may deliver them on the applicant’s behalf. Emails and faxes will not be accepted.
Approved home-visit applicants will be visited at their registered addresses, while other approved applicants will vote at their registered voting stations during the two days before election day.
The IEC has confirmed that 136,790 candidates have met the statutory requirements to contest seats across the country’s eight metropolitan, 44 district and 205 local municipalities.
Meanwhile, the Department of Home Affairs has urged eligible voters to apply for or collect their identity documents ahead of the elections. Citizens can access Smart ID services at Home Affairs offices and more than 450 participating bank branches.
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