The Independent Electoral Commission announced the opening of the special votes applications for the Local Government Elections. Applications will be open until the 12th of October 2026, at 17:00.
The two categories under the special votes include home visits for people who are unable to present themselves physically at a voting station owing to a physical condition, and the second one is for those who cannot vote at their voting station on voting day (such as those working in essential services and the media).
Applications are made through the IEC’s website by sending their identity number by SMS to 32249 at R1.00 per SMS, or by visiting a local IEC office and submitting a Special Vote Application form.
The IEC said special votes are intended to ensure registered voters who cannot vote on election day are still able to participate in the elections. “To make sure that everyone’s vote counts, if you are a registered voter and you cannot vote at your voting station on election day, you can apply for a special vote,” the IEC’s municipal special-votes guidance stated.
