Monday, 2 November 2026

Special voting continues with 2.6 million South Africans approved for special votes, a 131% increase on 2020. Stations open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow, and IEC officials are doing home visits.

A new Ipsos survey found 53% of eligible voters feel no political party represents their views. Analyst Mari Harris expects coalition governments in most metros, local and district councils after Wednesday's polls.

Home Affairs clarified that only South African citizens, by birth or naturalisation, can vote. Visa holders and permanent residents do not qualify, and it has extended front-office hours and allowed walk-ins for ID documents.

Hammanskraal residents voted amid multi-week water outages after criminals vandalised the raw water pump station and stole critical electrical equipment. A former ward councillor says security guard contracts at the pumping station expired in September.