Special votes open in Akasia with four voters waiting and 5,318 registered

Special voting for the 2026 Local Government Elections opened on Monday at a voting station in Karenpark, Akasia, north of Pretoria, where the station opened on time and four elderly people were waiting shortly before 8am.

SAnews (South African Government News Agency) reported that it arrived at the station just before 8am and observed the start of the first day of special voting. The agency described the start as slow.

Sathiel Mathekge, who arrived just before the station opened, told SAnews he opted for the special vote because of ill-health.

“I saw it fit to make time to come and cast my vote as this is the only chance to be heard [and] to bring changes in my community,” he said. Mathekge said it is important for people to vote and elect the right people who will bring change to communities.

Another voter, Pheneus Khubutlo, told SAnews he applied for a special vote because of work commitments.

“I will be out of town, therefore I won’t be around here to cast my vote, hence I am here today to cast my vote,” he said. Khubutlo said it is important to cast a vote to ensure services are delivered to communities.

Presiding Officer Boitumelo Marx said stationery for the voting station was delivered on time and officials were ready to serve those who arrive to cast their votes.

“We are ready to assist those who will be coming to cast their ballots,” he said.

Marx said 5,318 people had registered to cast special votes at the Akasia voting station. Police officers have been deployed at the station to ensure voter safety.

“We hope all the people who have registered will show up and we are ready for them,” he said.

The two-day special voting period allows eligible voters who are unable to visit their polling stations on Voting Day to cast their ballots early. The IEC has approved 2.65 million special vote applications this year, a 131% increase compared with the 2021 Local Government Elections, according to SAnews.

SAnews also reported that the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has stated that spring weather conditions are likely to vary across the country during the voting period. Millions of South Africans will cast their ballots on Wednesday.

This report is based on SAnews’s account of the opening of one voting station, not on the record of the proceedings themselves. The source is SAnews (South African Government News Agency), published 2 November 2026: https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/first-day-special-votes-kicks-without-hindrance-akasia