Over 1.4 million South Africans cast special votes: IEC

The Electoral Commission (IEC) says its preliminary numbers indicate that just over 1.4 million South Africans cast their votes during the last two days of special voting.

The Electoral Commission was briefing the media at the Results Operation Centre (ROC) in Midrand, Johannesburg, following the close of all voting stations across the country at 5 pm this Tuesday.

Chairperson of the Commission, Mosotho Moepya, says the special votes have been securely stored and will be counted together with the 4 November Election Day ballots after the closing of voting stations.

“The Commission is pleased to report that at the time of closing, 1,425,942 voters had recorded as having voted between 2 and 3 November. Out of these, 974 852 voters voted at voting stations, and 451 090 voted through home visits.”

IEC media briefing: 03 November 2026:

Meanwhile, Gauteng has recorded the highest number of special votes during the two-day special voting period for the 2026 municipal elections.

Moepya says the province registered close to 265 000 special votes. KwaZulu-Natal followed with close to 209 000 votes, the Eastern Cape with more than 207 000, and Limpopo with close to 181 000.

LGE Special Vote Day 2: