IEC: 3.5 million voters cast ballots by 10am as eThekwini ballot theft probed
The IEC says about 3.5 million voters had cast ballots by 10am in South Africa’s 2026 local government elections. It is also investigating the theft of unused ballots and a special-voting stamp at an eThekwini station.
In the 2026 South African local government elections, approximately 3.5 million citizens had cast their votes by 10am, according to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Sheburi reported that 98% of the nation's 23,996 voting stations had opened by 7am, with all stations functioning by 9am. Delays occurred at a few stations due to local protests and weather-related issues in Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga.
The IEC implemented handheld barcode scanners connected to voter management devices to expedite voter processing and manage queues. By 10am, Gauteng led with 895,000 voters, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 623,000, and the Western Cape with 461,000. The Eastern Cape reported 431,000 voters, Limpopo had 366,000, Mpumalanga 252,000, North West 204,000, the Free State 195,000, and the Northern Cape 93,000.
The commission cautioned registered voters yet to vote to utilize the remaining time. Officials confirmed that unmarked and unused ballots, along with the voting stamp, were stolen from a polling station in Ward 2 of eThekwini. Sheburi noted that the ward contained 20 voting stations, and steps were taken to identify the stolen materials should they resurface.
The missing stamp, intended for special voting, diverges from the typical stamps used on election day. Charges have been filed against the electoral staff at the station, and they have been removed from their roles due to their negligence.
Voters should remember that most local municipalities will distribute three ballot papers: green for local proportional representation candidates, yellow for political party representatives to the district municipality, and one for metropolitan municipalities to represent ward representation and proportional representation. Sheburi emphasized that voters should make only one mark against their preferred candidate or party, as additional marks would invalidate the ballot.
The commission also reminded those with visual impairments to use Universal Ballot Templates to vote independently while preserving the confidentiality of their choices. Voters may wear party regalia when voting, provided they refrain from engaging in political activities at the station; however, party agents and candidates are prohibited from wearing party regalia within voting station boundaries.
The IEC expressed gratitude to the Department of Home Affairs, NATJOINTS, media outlets, and Eskom for their support during the electoral process. Sheburi urged South Africans to continue showing up and voting.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
