IEC puts measures in place to improve special voting operations

On the first day of special voting for the 2026 local government elections, tragedy struck as an IEC official collapsed and died while another was injured in separate incidents across South Africa. The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) had declared a positive start to the voting day, but challenges quickly emerged. In Mahikeng, North West, an IEC official passed away after collapsing at a voting station.

Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal, a deputy presiding officer was hit by a car while en route to her assigned polling place and subsequently hospitalized. Cape Town faced delays in delivering ballot papers, causing some voting stations to open an hour later than scheduled at 10.30am, with only 10 of the 116 designated wards' voting stations functioning.

Despite these setbacks, the IEC vowed to expedite the remaining voting stations' opening and reported that the process improved by early afternoon. Masego Sheburi, deputy chief electoral officer, stated that the commission would provide support to the affected officials and their families. Sheburi also acknowledged that special voting commenced smoothly across the country, with voting beginning without incident.

The success was attributed to efficiency measures implemented, such as handheld scanners and digital voter management devices to expedite voter verification. Sheburi encouraged voters to verify their voting station information and present their sequence numbers at the polling station to expedite the process. Voting stations remained open until 5pm on both the first and second days of special voting, accepting various forms of identification, including smart ID cards, green barcoded ID books, and temporary identity certificates.