Record Number of Special Votes Cast in South Africa’s National Elections

A total of 937,144 voters participated in special voting ahead of South Africa’s National and Provincial Elections at various polling stations and through home visits conducted by the Electoral Commission. The Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo, announced the impressive turnout, exceeding previous election figures, during a briefing at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.

The Electoral Commission commended the South Africans who took advantage of the special voting opportunity and praised the dedication of the electoral staff who facilitated home visits for voters unable to visit polling stations on Monday and Tuesday.

The turnout for special voting activities is seen as a positive indication for the voter turnout expected on the official Election Day across the country.

Despite the overall success, the Electoral Commission expressed concern over reported incidents of unlawful behavior towards electoral officials. The Commission urged all parties and citizens to cooperate and respect the electoral process, while also acknowledging the support of law enforcement agencies in safeguarding the election procedures.

Lessons learned from the special voting phase have prompted the Electoral Commission to make operational refinements aimed at enhancing the overall voting experience for the main Election Day on the horizon.

On Election Day, 26 million eligible voters are encouraged to exercise their democratic right by visiting their designated voting stations, which will be operational from 07:00 to 21:00. The Electoral Commission emphasized the importance of voters casting their ballots at their registered stations, with only a few exceptions permitted after due notification.

Special voting at 111 foreign missions has already concluded, with over 78,000 South African expatriates participating in the voting process. The turnout for special voting at home and abroad sets the stage for a significant engagement of voters in the upcoming National and Provincial Elections.