The Electoral Commission says applications opened on 21 September for special votes ahead of the 4 November local elections. The deadline is 17:00 on 12 October.
South Africa's Electoral Commission said on 21 September 2026 that applications had opened for special votes in the local-government elections scheduled for 4 November. Its notice sets the application deadline at 17:00 on Monday, 12 October 2026.
The IEC describes two routes: an approved home visit for a voter unable to get to a voting station because of a physical condition, and an early visit to the registered voting station for a voter who cannot vote there on election day. The notice says approved station votes take place on the two days before 4 November.
The commission directs eligible voters to its website or a local IEC office to apply. It says the SMS route is only for a special vote at a voting station. Readers should use the IEC's official service to confirm eligibility, application status and any later timetable change; AfroTools is not the application portal.
Official source
- IEC special-vote applications notice Published 21 September 2026; checked 27 September 2026
AfroTools is independent of electoral authorities. Confirm current dates and any later decisions with the linked commission.