OUDTSHOORN NEWS - Voters who are unable to cast their ballots on election day in the upcoming 2026 local government elections can apply to vote early on 2 or 3 November.
Election day is scheduled for 4 November, when voters cast their ballots at the voting stations where they are registered.
Any registered voter, regardless of age, occupation or reason, may apply for a special vote if they are unable to make it to their voting station on election day. However, voters must apply to the IEC during the prescribed application period to qualify.
Applications for special votes will open on 21 September and close on 12 October, and may be submitted on the Electoral Commission of South Africa's (IEC) website at www.elections.org.za, by sending an SMS containing the voter's ID number to 32249 (R1 per SMS), or by collecting and submitting a completed special vote application form at a local IEC office.
Western Cape Provincial Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse stressed that voters who wish to cast a special vote must apply beforehand.
Hendrickse added that only the IEC can receive and approve applications for special votes, and that candidates or political parties cannot approve such applications.
According to the IEC, voters will receive an SMS notifying them of the outcome of their application once it has been processed. Voters who do not receive a response can still vote on Election Day.
Prior application is required for all voters wishing to cast a special vote to allow the IEC to make the necessary staffing and logistical arrangements. No prior application is required for voters who intend to vote on Election Day.
The IEC has also reminded voters that in local government elections, they may only cast their ballots at the voting station in the voting district where they are registered.
Voters can check their voting station on the IEC website, by sending "Hi" to the IEC's WhatsApp number, 0600 88 0000, and following the prompts, by SMSing their ID number to 32810 (R1 per SMS), or by contacting the IEC on 0800 11 8000.
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