{
  "id": 17759893,
  "title": "Special voting starts today: What South Africans need to know",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/special-voting-starts-today-what-south-africans-need-to-know-17759893",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T07:05:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/politics/special-voting-starts-today-what-south-africans-need-to-know/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Africans are set to participate in the November 4 local government elections, with special voting taking place from November 2 to 3. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has prepared for the election by approving over 2.6 million special voters and deploying 127,000 officials to manage the two-day voting process. Voting stations will operate from 8am to 5pm on November 2 and 3. Voters must present a valid South African ID to cast their ballots and can only vote at their registered polling station. The IEC Contact Centre will be available during special voting hours, and voters can check their status by sending an SMS to 32711. Approved special voters can vote at home during the two-day period, but must remain available for election officials. Special votes cast on November 2 and 3 will be securely stored and counted on election day. Political parties and observers can monitor the process, and voters should check local weather forecasts for potential adverse conditions.",
  "summary": "As South Africans prepare for the November 4 local government elections, the IEC has outlined identification requirements, special voting arrangements, voting station checks and security measures voters should know before heading to the polls.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "South Africans to vote in key local elections seen as a tough test for ruling ANC",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/south-africans-to-vote-in-key-local-elections-seen-as-a-tough-test",
        "published": "2026-11-02T01:05:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Ramaphosa: ‘No party has done more for South Africans than the ANC’ [VIDEO]",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/ramaphosa-no-party-has-done-more-for-south-africans-than-the-anc-video",
        "published": "2026-11-02T04:19:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}