IEC: 2.6 Million Approved for 2026 Local Election Special Votes

• The IEC approved a record 2,655,067 special vote applications for the 2026 Local Government Elections, a 131% increase from 2021.
• The application period closed on October 12, 2026, with most submissions made online.
• Women account for 74% of home visit applications and 64% of voting station applications, with older female voters predominantly using home visits.
• Special voting will occur on November 2 and 3, 2026, preceding Election Day on November 4.
• The Election Results System was audited, and political parties were granted access to test its integrity and functionality.

This suggests that home visits are predominantly utilized by older voters, particularly older female voters.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has announced a record 2,655,067 approved special vote applications for the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections, marking a substantial 131% increase from the 1,147,759 applications approved for the 2021 elections. The application period for these IEC 2026 local election special votes ran from September 21 until 17h00 on October 12, 2026. These special applications are categorized into two types: home visits for voters with physical infirmities or disabilities preventing travel to polling stations, and voting station-based special votes for those who can reach a station but are unavailable on Election Day.

Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo, in a Pretoria briefing, confirmed that 678,525 home visit applications were approved, an increase of 171,118 (33.7%) compared to the 507,407 approved in 2021. KwaZulu-Natal registered the highest number of approved home visits, with 143,714. The majority of applications, 2,426,066, were submitted through online platforms, while 171,214 manual applications were captured at IEC offices, with the finalization of this process anticipated by October 16, 2026. This Sy Mamabolo IEC update highlights the extensive reach of the SA Electoral Commission special applications.

An analysis of the approved special votes reveals distinct provincial and demographic patterns. Gauteng recorded the highest overall number of approved special votes with 480,721, followed by the Eastern Cape at 401,971, and KwaZulu-Natal with 348,971. Limpopo saw 341,623 approvals, Mpumalanga 292,775, and the Western Cape 291,866. The North West accounted for 235,733 applications, the Free State for 132,088, and the Northern Cape for 129,319.

The Commission's data also indicates significant gender and age disparities among applicants. Women constitute a substantial majority, accounting for 74% of home visit applications and 64% of voting station visit applications. For home visits, voters aged 60 years and older represent 79.6% of all applications in this category, with the 70-79 age group forming the largest segment. This suggests that home visits are predominantly utilized by older voters, particularly older female voters. In contrast, voting station visits exhibit a relatively younger and more gender-balanced profile. Provincially, Gauteng led in both female and male special vote applicants, with 305,586 women and 172,200 men. The Eastern Cape followed with 267,539 female and 137,550 male applicants.

As part of the broader 2026 local government election preparations, the IEC has undertaken several critical steps to ensure the integrity and logistical readiness of the electoral process. The Election Results System underwent an external and independent audit, with remedial measures subsequently implemented. Following this, political parties contesting the elections were granted access to the system from October 5 to October 12, allowing them to assess its integrity, functionality, security, and reliability. This proactive measure aims to bolster confidence in the election results system audit South Africa.

Concurrently, the production of ballot papers is well underway, with over 66% of the projected 79 million ballots already printed. The completion of this printing process is anticipated by Sunday, October 18, 2026. Furthermore, the bulk of non-security election materials has been distributed to local municipalities, ensuring readiness for the South Africa special voting 2026 on November 2 and 3, as well as for Election Day itself on November 4. All 23,696 voting stations have been secured, with leases finalized for 22,659 permanent locations, and arrangements for temporary infrastructure are currently being concluded.

Lawyers advising political parties or involved in election monitoring should note the significant increase in approved special vote applications, particularly among older female voters, as this impacts voter turnout strategies and potential challenges regarding accessibility. The audit of the Election Results System and ballot paper production details provide context for assessing the integrity and logistical readiness of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Source: Original reporting via the Electoral Commission of South Africa