{
  "id": 17774432,
  "title": "IEC kicks off first day of special voting",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/iec-kicks-off-first-day-of-special-voting",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T09:11:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/iec-kicks-off-first-day-of-special-voting/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) began its first day of special voting in the Free State on Monday morning. Voting stations opened at 8am, allowing eligible voters to cast their ballots early. The two-day process is designed to accommodate those who are unable to visit polling stations due to disabilities, as well as individuals performing essential duties on election day.\n\nSpecial voting has also commenced in the Western Cape, with 298,000 voters across the province eligible to participate. The IEC in the Western Cape has approved 72,000 home visits, deploying hundreds of teams to facilitate the early voting process. Police and other law enforcement agencies have been stationed at voting stations to ensure a smooth operation.\n\nIEC officials will be visiting the homes of voters whose special vote applications have been approved, allowing them to cast their ballots in the comfort of their own residences. This initiative aims to provide greater accessibility for voters who may face challenges attending physical polling stations on election day.",
  "summary": "IEC officials will conduct home visits for those approved for special voting.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}