On election day, elderly voters who had been approved for special votes turned up at polling stations in Kathorus, Ekurhuleni, causing confusion over the process. Election observers reported concerns about people trying to use their age to skip queues. According to an observer, several senior citizens who were expected to vote on Monday or Tuesday had instead arrived on election day, highlighting a lack of understanding about the special voting process.
Some elderly voters in Ekurhuleni stated they were unaware of the special voting process and had joined other residents to cast their ballots. One elderly voter expressed frustration, saying she had applied for a special vote expecting officials to fetch her from home and take her to the voting station. However, no one arrived, leading her to vote on election day. She criticized the government's follow-through on promises.
Other elderly voters echoed similar sentiments, stating they had not known that special voting was an option. "We did not know about this. That's why we came today with everyone else," one voter said. The confusion arose despite the Electoral Commission of South Africa confirming that 1,425,942 people cast special votes during the two-day period on November 2 and 3.
According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, 2,655,067 applications for special votes were approved nationwide. Of these, 974,852 people voted at voting stations, while 451,090 cast their ballots through home visits. This represents about 53.7% of approved special voters. The country has 29.2 million registered voters for the 2026 local government elections.
Special voting is intended for registered voters who are unable to vote on election day or cannot physically reach their voting stations due to infirmity or disability. However, the process appears to have caused confusion among some elderly voters, who were unaware of the procedures or felt compelled to vote on election day.
An observer noted that some senior citizens were trying to use their age to skip queues, which was unfair to those who had been waiting. The observer emphasized that the queue process should be respected, regardless of age. The incident highlights the need for clearer communication about the special voting process.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa will likely review the special voting process to prevent similar confusion in future elections. For now, eligible voters are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the voting procedures to ensure a smooth voting experience. The elderly voters who turned up on election day were able to cast their ballots, but the incident underscores the importance of education and awareness about special voting procedures.
Key points
- Many elderly voters in Ekurhuleni were unaware of the special voting process.
- The Electoral Commission of South Africa reported that 53.7% of approved special voters cast their ballots.
- Special voting is intended for registered voters who are unable to vote on election day due to infirmity or disability.
