The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is preparing to conduct more than 678,000 home visits for voters unable to reach polling stations ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections, with people aged 60 and older accounting for nearly 80% of approved applications.
According to figures released by the commission, 678,525 home-visit special votes have been approved for 2 and 3 November, allowing eligible voters with physical infirmities or disabilities to cast their ballots from home or their place of care.
IEC Chief Executive Officer Sy Mamabolo said the arrangements were essential to ensuring that eligible South Africans could participate in the electoral process, regardless of their circumstances.
The commission’s analysis shows that 79.6% of approved home-visit applications are from voters aged 60 and older, with those aged between 70 and 79 representing the largest age group. Women account for 74% of home-visit applications.
The IEC has approved a total of 2,655,067 special-vote applications for the elections, representing a 131% increase compared with the 2021 local government polls. Of these, nearly two million are for voting at designated polling stations on the two days before election day.
Special voting is scheduled for Monday, 2 November, and Tuesday, 3 November, ahead of the main election day on Wednesday, 4 November.
Meanwhile, the IEC has launched its National Results Operation Centre at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. The centre will coordinate the receipt, verification and announcement of election results.
Approximately 29 million South Africans are registered to vote in the upcoming local government elections.