Some Cape Metro voting stations open late on first Special Voting day
The IEC has apologised after late-arriving ballot papers held up the opening of 217 Special Voting stations in the Cape Metro on Monday morning.
Some voting stations in the Western Cape opened late on Monday, 2 November 2026, the first of two days set aside for Special Voting, because ballot papers arrived behind schedule. SAnews reported that the provincial office of the Electoral Commission (IEC) confirmed the problem and apologised to affected voters.
What the IEC says went wrong
Provincial Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse said the hold-up was unforeseen. He said that despite the efforts of the commission and the company that printed the ballots, delivery of Special Vote ballots to some areas was late.
At 08h00, a total of 217 stations across the Cape Metro had not been able to open on time. Hendrickse described the position as "a fluid situation", explaining that stations are opening one by one as ballots reach them. He said security measures are in place for transporting and delivering the ballots.
He added that the problem is limited to the Cape Metro. Reports reaching the IEC indicate that stations in the province’s outlying areas are running smoothly. "I want to apologise for the inconvenience to our voters," he said.
Who Special Voting is for
Special Voting is meant for registered voters who cannot get to a station because of frailty or disability, as well as people who will not be at their own station on Election Day, Wednesday, 4 November 2026. Across the country, the IEC has approved 2 655 067 voters to cast special votes.
Hendrickse said 2 and 3 November have been reserved for this purpose and that the commission will make sure everyone who applied is able to vote across the two days. He said the IEC intends to honour its mandate so that every voter can exercise their right.
What this means for voters
- Special Voting runs for two days, 2 and 3 November, so Tuesday remains available to voters who applied and were approved.
- If your station in the Cape Metro has not yet opened, the IEC says stations are opening as ballots arrive.
- The IEC says stations outside the metro are operating smoothly.
- General voting takes place on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
The IEC has not said when all of the affected Cape Metro stations are expected to be open. Hendrickse’s description of the situation as fluid suggests that the position may keep changing through the day.
This story is based on reporting by SAnews.
