Special voting for the 2026 Local Government Elections got off to a largely smooth start on Monday, with nearly 99% of voting stations opening on time across the country, the Electoral Commission (IEC) confirmed.
Deputy Chief Electoral Commissioner Masego Shiburi said most stations opened at 8am, although delays were reported in Cape Town, where only 10 of the municipality’s 116 wards had opened by 10:30am.
The IEC also reported two serious incidents involving election officials. In the uKhahlamba District, a Deputy Presiding Officer was hit by a vehicle while travelling to a voting station and taken to hospital.
In the North West, a Presiding Officer collapsed while on duty and died.
The Commission said it was supporting the affected officials and their families.
Despite the incidents, the IEC described the overall start as positive and expects further improvements on the second day.
Special voting continues until 5pm on Tuesday. Approved voters must cast their ballots at their registered voting stations and present a valid South African ID.
Ordinary voting will take place on Wednesday, 4 November, when stations open for all registered voters.
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