The record number of special votes being cast this week leaves the IEC with a longer chain of custody and more room for human error, a governance expert has warned.
Dr Lihle Gumbi, a lecturer in Public Governance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Commerce, said the real risk was not fraud but public confidence in the process.
“The biggest concern, I believe, is usually not fraud itself, but how the IEC can maintain public confidence and the integrity of the process. This is because special votes are cast a few days before the official Election Day.
“The ballots must be securely stored until counting begins after 4 November 2026. This may create a longer chain of custody and more opportunities for human error if procedures are not strictly followed, especially taking into consideration the record-breaking special voter turnout this election cycle.
“I believe the IEC has a responsibility to ensure that it conducts its processes in a fair and transparent manner, especially if it is to counter the kind of claims that were made by the MKP and others about vote rigging in the last national elections,” Gumbi said.
Special voting opened on Monday and continues on Tuesday, from 8am to 5pm.
The IEC approved a record 2,655,067 special vote applications. That is 131% more than the 1,147,759 approved in 2021.
Gumbi said several factors were behind the jump.
“I think the sharp rise in special vote applications is likely due to a mixture of factors. Firstly, the IEC has really pushed the availability of online and SMS application processes, which has made it easier and more convenient for voters to apply for special votes. Secondly, many voters may have anticipated being away from home, at work, travelling or otherwise unavailable on Election Day, prompting them to make alternative voting arrangements.
“Thirdly, I believe increased voter awareness of the special voting process and the importance of participating in elections may have contributed to greater uptake. Finally, concerns about long queues, transport challenges or accessibility issues on Election Day may have encouraged voters to secure an opportunity to vote in advance.
“Overall, I think the increase reflects both improved access to voting mechanisms and a proactive effort by voters to ensure their participation in the election,” Gumbi said.
Gumbi said convenience probably mattered more than enthusiasm.
“I think the surge reflects both growing voter engagement and practical considerations, but if one engages with the evidence, it suggests that convenience and accessibility played the larger role. The fact that over 2.6 million voters took the extra step of applying for a special vote indicates a strong commitment to participating in the election.
“Rather than risk missing Election Day, many voters proactively made arrangements to ensure their votes would be counted. This can be interpreted as a positive sign of civic engagement. It may also have been the result of a simplified online application process,” she said.
IEC figures show that older voters mostly use home visits, while younger voters mostly cast station-based special votes.
“The pattern suggests that different groups of voters engage with the electoral system in ways that reflect their distinct circumstances, needs and lifestyles. Older voters appear to use home visits primarily because they are more likely to face mobility, health or transport challenges that make travelling to a voting station difficult.
“The IEC therefore has a constitutional mandate to ensure that it reaches all these voters wherever they are. The fact that voters aged 60 and above account for the vast majority of home-visit applications indicates that this service plays an important role in ensuring electoral inclusion and protecting the voting rights of elderly and vulnerable citizens.
“In contrast, studies have indicated that younger voters are more likely to use voting station-based special votes, which suggests that their challenge is generally not physical access to a voting station, but rather competing commitments such as work, study, travel or family responsibilities on Election Day. The use of special votes by younger voters therefore reflects a desire for greater flexibility and convenience within the electoral process,” Gumbi said.
Gauteng recorded the highest number of approved special votes, followed by the Eastern Cape.
South Africans go to the polls on Wednesday, 4 November. Voting stations will be open from 7am to 9pm.