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2026 Local Government Elections: IEC Reports Smooth Start as Over 3.5 Million Votes Cast by Mid-Morning
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa's 2026 Local Government Elections got off to a strong start today, with the Electoral Commission (IEC) reporting that 98% of the country’s 23,696 voting stations opened on schedule at 07:00.
By 10:00, preliminary statistics indicated that over 3.5 million citizens had already cast their ballots.
High Voter Turnout and Technological Upgrades
The IEC expressed strong encouragement at the early turnout across all nine provinces, highlighting scenes of voters queuing during the early hours of the morning to exercise their democratic rights.
To streamline the voting process and reduce queuing times, the Commission introduced two key technical operational enhancements:
- Handheld Barcode Scanners: Integrated directly with existing Voter Management Devices (VMDs) to speed up identification.
- Voters Roll Sequence Numbers: Printed on the physical roll to allow rapid verification of individual records.
The Commission confirmed that Voter Management Devices (VMDs) are functioning optimally across the nation.
Regional Performance and Opening Delays
As of 10:00, Gauteng led the provincial vote tally with nearly 900,000 ballots cast, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
Provincial Breakdown (as of 10:00)
(Source: Electoral Commission of South Africa)
While the vast majority of stations opened seamlessly at 07:00, a small percentage experienced delayed openings up until 09:00 due to localized community protests as well as severe weather and access challenges in parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The IEC confirmed that ballot deliveries were completed nationwide shortly after voting officially began.
Important Guidance for Voters
The Commission issued essential reminders for citizens preparing to head to polling stations before voting closes later today:
1. Ballot Paper Structure
Unlike National and Provincial elections, ballot allocations vary depending on municipal type:
Local Municipalities (3 Ballots): A grey ballot for ward councillor, a green ballot for political party (local council), and a yellow ballot for party representatives on the district council.
Metropolitan Municipalities (2 Ballots): A grey ballot for ward councillor and a green ballot for political party (metropolitan council).
2. Correct Marking
Voters must mark ONE clear X inside the box next to their chosen candidate or party on each paper. Selecting multiple options or making unauthorized marks on a ballot will result in a spoilt vote.
3. Universal Ballot Templates (UBT) for Visually Impaired Voters
Every voting station is equipped with Universal Ballot Templates (UBTs) to assist braille-literate voters. Following consultation with Blind SA, the IEC highlighted a variation for double-column UBTs where a ballot paper contains fewer than 80 candidates. Presiding officers have been instructed to explain column endpoints to visually impaired voters before they cast their votes.
Incidents and Security Measures
The Commission confirmed an isolated security breach in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, where unused ballot papers and a official stamp were stolen.
The incident was formally reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS), and an official criminal investigation is underway. The IEC reassured the public that stringent precautionary measures were immediately put in place to ensure the stolen ballots cannot be used fraudulently.
Security operations across all provinces continue to be coordinated through NATJOINTS to ensure a secure environment throughout voting and counting processes.
How to Check Your Registration & Voting Station Details
Registered voters who have not yet voted can confirm their registration details and obtain their voters roll sequence number via the following channels:
WhatsApp: Send ID number to 0600 88 0000
SMS: Send ID number to 32810 (R1.00 per SMS)
Call Center: 0800 11 8000
Website: www.elections.org.za
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