As South Africans prepare to vote in the 2026 local government elections on Wednesday, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has outlined a process to make voting easier while safeguarding the integrity and secrecy of the ballot. IEC assistant manager Mmakgabo Ramatlhodi said voters will first encounter a queue walker who helps manage queues and direct voters at polling stations. For the first time, voters will be able to scan a QR code to obtain a unique sequence number linked to their details on the voters’ roll.
The sequence number is unique to a voter and assists in quickly getting the details of the voter and marking them off the voters’ roll, making the process more efficient. Voters will then proceed to a door controller who checks identification documents and verifies the person presenting the document matches the details on it. Accepted forms of identification are a green barcoded ID book, a Smart ID card or a temporary identification certificate, while digital identification documents are not accepted.
Once inside the voting station, a voters’ roll officer will scan the voter’s ID using a voter management device. The system confirms the voter’s details and indicates the number of ballot papers they are entitled to receive. The voter’s left thumbnail will then be marked with indelible ink to prevent multiple voting. Ramatlhodi explained that it takes a few days for one to remove this ink to protect the integrity of the process.
The number of ballot papers a voter receives depends on whether they are registered in a metropolitan or local municipality. Voters in metropolitan municipalities will receive two ballot papers: a ward ballot and a proportional representation (PR) ballot. Voters in local municipalities will receive a third ballot, known as the district PR ballot, which determines 40% of the seats in the district council.
Before entering the voting booth, Ramatlhodi urged voters to check every ballot paper has been officially stamped on the back. If a ballot is not stamped at the back, it will be regarded as spoiled. Voters must make only one clear mark on each ballot paper next to the candidate or political party of their choice, as making more than one mark could result in a ballot being declared invalid.
Voters who make a mistake should approach the presiding officer and request a replacement ballot instead of trying to correct the error themselves. Cameras and photography are prohibited around voting booths to protect the secrecy of the ballot. Ramatlhodi encouraged voters to follow the instructions of election officials throughout the process to ensure their votes are properly recorded.
The IEC has implemented measures to ensure the integrity and secrecy of the ballot. Ramatlhodi reminded voters that they should not take pictures of their ballots, as this is prohibited. By following the outlined process and instructions of election officials, voters can ensure that their votes are counted and their choices are respected.
Key points
- Voters must present a valid identification document, such as a green barcoded ID book or Smart ID card.
- Voters will have their left thumbnail marked with indelible ink to prevent multiple voting.
- Ballot papers must be stamped at the back to be considered valid.
