DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — KZN special votes are underway across the province, proceeding smoothly despite severe weather conditions as eligible citizens prepare for Wednesday’s local government elections.
Voting stations officially opened at 8:00 AM this morning. The process has maintained a steady pace despite the South African Weather Service issuing a Yellow Level 4 warning for heavy downpours and hail over most parts of the province. While some temporary voting stations utilizing tents faced potential weather disruptions, ground reports indicate that the heavy rain has not deterred eligible voters from turning out to cast their ballots.
Nationally, 2.6 million eligible voters have registered for special voting in these elections. However, KwaZulu-Natal is recording the highest number of home visits. Out of the 5,028 total voting stations in the province, 4,988 were opened today for voters whose special vote applications were approved.
In total, over 300,000 registered voters in KZN applied for special votes. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reports that the majority of these—over 200,000—will be station visits, where eligible voters head to the voting stations today and tomorrow. The remainder, over 150,000 voters, will be accommodated through home visits.
The two-day special voting process is specifically designed to cater to individuals who are unable to travel to voting stations on the main election day. This includes voters with disabilities, the elderly, and those who will be performing essential duties on election day. IEC officials are actively conducting home visits across the province, including in northern KZN regions such as Pongola, where early reports confirm a strong turnout of approved applicants.
The Provincial Electoral Officer in KwaZulu-Natal, is scheduled to brief the media at the provincial IEC Centre in Durban. The officer is expected to provide a comprehensive update on the first few hours of the special voting process and address any localized impacts caused by the weather.
In addition to weather management, comprehensive safety and security measures have been implemented across the province. Approximately 12,000 police officers have been deployed to ensure the voting process begins without any security hiccups. Officers are stationed at almost every voting station, which have been categorized into low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk sites. The majority of the high-risk stations are located within the eThekwini metro. Police checking in this morning reported no security issues, confirming that the first few hours of the special vote have been peaceful and well-managed.
