The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has expressed satisfaction with the first day of special voting ahead of Wednesday’s local government elections, despite the death of an election official, two officials being struck by vehicles, delays at voting stations in Cape Town and the theft of empty ballot boxes in KwaZulu-Natal.

Special voting concluded at 5pm on Monday, with the commission saying all voting stations affected by delays in the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality had subsequently opened and remained operational.

The IEC said the first day had provided a foundation for improved performance on Tuesday, the second and final day of special voting, and on the main election day on Wednesday, November 4.

“The Commission is satisfied that the day’s proceedings creates a solid basis for improved performance on day two of special votes and on election day,” the commission said in a statement on Monday.

However, the day was marred by incidents affecting election officials in the North West and KwaZulu-Natal.

A presiding officer collapsed at a voting station in Mahikeng, North West, and died. The IEC said it was providing support to the deceased official’s family.

In KwaZulu-Natal, a deputy presiding officer was struck by a vehicle while travelling to her voting station in the uKhahlamba district and was taken to hospital.

A separate incident was reported in Birchville, where another presiding officer was also hit by a car while making her way to her voting station.

The commission expressed concern over the incidents and said it was providing support to the affected officials and their families.

The incidents came as thousands of election officials worked at voting stations and conducted approved home visits to help eligible voters cast their ballots before election day.

Empty ballot boxes stolen in KZN

In another incident, empty ballot boxes and other election materials were stolen overnight at the Amahlongwa Community Hall in the Umdoni municipality on KwaZulu-Natal’s south coast.

The theft was discovered when IEC officials and police arrived to deliver ballot papers on Monday morning.

Other items, including stationery and signage, were also reported stolen, and a case was opened with the police.

However, the IEC in KwaZulu-Natal said the incident would not affect the special voting process.

Provincial electoral officer Ntombfuthi Masinga said the commission had sufficient replacement ballot boxes and that the stolen boxes were empty.

She also clarified that the theft did not affect the smaller ballot box used by officials conducting home visits.

The commission maintained that the incident would not compromise the election process.

Cape Town voting delays resolved

The IEC earlier reported delays at some voting stations in Cape Town because ballot papers had not been distributed on time.

The commission confirmed on Monday afternoon that all affected stations had opened and were operational.

Despite the logistical challenges, the IEC said the process had generally proceeded smoothly across the country.

The commission thanked voters, political parties, candidates, accredited observers and election officials for their cooperation during the first day.

Final opportunity for special votes on Tuesday

The IEC has urged all approved voters who have not yet cast their special votes to do so on Tuesday, November 3.

Voting stations will open at 8am and close at 5pm.

Tuesday will be the final opportunity for approved special voters to cast their ballots before the main election day on Wednesday.

Voters who have been approved for home visits but have not yet been reached are urged to remain at the addresses provided in their applications so that election officials can locate them.

The commission warned that members of the public and political party supporters must not interfere with officials conducting home visits.

It said intimidating election officials or taking unauthorised photographs of them and posting the images on social media constituted criminal conduct.

The IEC also reminded voters that photographing marked ballot papers was strictly prohibited. Voters must mark their ballots in private and refrain from campaigning, canvassing, intimidating or attempting to influence others inside voting stations.

Weather conditions could present further challenges on Tuesday, with the commission reporting rainy weather in some provinces that had affected access to voting stations in the King Sabata Dalindyebo district. Hot conditions were also expected to persist in some areas.

Voters have been urged to monitor local weather conditions and take precautions when travelling to voting stations.

The main local government elections will take place on Wednesday, November 4, when voters will elect representatives to councils across the country.