How to apply for a special vote ahead of South Africa’s LGE 2026

Special-vote applications for South Africa’s 2026 local government elections open on September 21 and close at 5pm on October 12, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has said. Voters approved for special voting will cast their ballots on November 2 and 3, ahead of election day on November 4.

Who can apply for a special vote

The IEC says special votes are for registered voters who cannot vote at their voting station on election day because of their circumstances. The commission has specified three main situations:

• Voters who are physically unable to travel to a voting station may apply for a home visit.
• Voters who can travel to their voting station but will be unable to vote on November 4 can apply to cast their ballot at their registered voting station on November 2 or 3.
• Registered voters who will be outside their voting district on election day because of qualifying circumstances, including essential work, may also apply for special voting arrangements.

How to apply and check details

Applications can be submitted through the IEC’s online platforms or at local IEC offices. The commission also provided several voter-service channels for applications and enquiries:

• To apply for a voting-station special vote, send your ID number by SMS to 32249.
• To check voter registration and voting-station details, send your ID number by SMS to 32810.
• IEC call centre: 0800 11 8000.
• IEC WhatsApp service: 0600 880 000.

The IEC advised voters to ensure their registration details are correct before applying for a special vote.

Timing and what to expect

Approved special votes will be cast on November 2 and 3. Voters approved for home visits will be visited at the address recorded for the special vote. Voters approved for voting-station special votes will cast their ballot at their registered voting station.

“Applications would open on September 21 and close at 5pm on October 12.”

IEC preparations and candidate finalisation

The IEC said the special-vote process is part of preparations to enable eligible voters to participate in the election. The commission published the final list of candidates on September 16 after completing its statutory review of nominations. The IEC confirmed that 136,790 candidates met the statutory requirements to contest seats across metropolitan, district and local municipalities.

Further timetable items the IEC has set include the ballot-paper draw and signing of the Electoral Code of Conduct on September 23, and the delivery of certificates to successful candidates on September 25.

Key dates

• September 21: Special-vote applications open.
• September 23: Ballot-paper draw and signing of the Electoral Code of Conduct.
• September 25: Successful candidates receive certificates.
• October 12 at 5pm: Special-vote applications close.
• November 2–3: Special voting takes place.
• November 4: Local government elections.