217 Voting Stations in South Africa's Western Cape Open Late on First Day of Special Voting After Ballot Delivery Delay

CAPE TOWN — The Electoral Commission (IEC) in South Africa's Western Cape said on Monday, November 2, that 217 voting stations in the Cape Metro could not open on time at 8am on the first day of special voting for the 2026 Local Government Elections, after a delay in the delivery of special vote ballots.

Provincial Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse said that despite the best efforts of the IEC and the printing company contracted to produce the ballots, there had been an unforeseen delay in the delivery of special vote ballots in some areas. He said November 2 and 3 have been set aside for special voting and the IEC will fulfil its obligation to make sure voters who applied for special votes are able to vote over the two days.

Special votes cater for registered voters who may be unable to reach voting stations due to physical infirmity or disability, as well as those who may not be available to vote at their registered voting stations on Election Day. Nationwide, a total of 2,655,067 voters were approved for special votes, the IEC said, ahead of Election Day on Wednesday, November 4.

Hendrickse said the situation was fluid, with affected voting stations opening as ballots were received, and that all security measures were in place for the transport and delivery of the special vote ballots. He said the delay only affected the Cape Metro, apologised for the inconvenience to voters, and said reports confirmed voting stations in the outer regions of the Western Cape were operating smoothly.

"It is our intention to honour our mandate and make sure every voter exercises their democratic right to cast their vote," Hendrickse said.

(Source: South African Government News Agency, SAnews)

Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: 图：南非选举委员会西开普省选举官 Michael Hendrickse。照片：南非选举委员会（IEC），经南非政府新闻署 SAnews 发布（该署明示媒体可免费使用其图片、注明出处即可）。 / Photo: Western Cape Provincial Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse. Photo: IEC, via SAnews, South African Government News Agency (media use permitted free of charge with credit).

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