IEC official dies after collapsing at voting station
IEC official dies after collapsing at voting station as the first day of special voting for the 2026 Local Government Elections was overshadowed by tragedy in Mahikeng, North West.
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) confirmed that a presiding officer collapsed at a voting station and died, while another electoral official was injured in a motor vehicle accident in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Shiburi confirmed the incidents during a media briefing on Monday, 2 November, as the Commission reported that special voting had started positively across most parts of the country.
The tragic incidents have highlighted the important role played by electoral officials in ensuring that South Africa’s democratic processes continue, often under demanding conditions.
Despite the loss of a colleague, the IEC said it remained focused on ensuring that all approved special voters were given an opportunity to cast their ballots before the main election day on Wednesday.
IEC confirms death of presiding officer in Mahikeng
The IEC expressed sadness following the death of a presiding officer who collapsed while on duty at a voting station in Mahikeng.
Shiburi said the Commission was providing the necessary support to the family of the deceased official and colleagues who were affected by the incident.
In a separate incident, a deputy presiding officer in the uKhahlamba district of KwaZulu-Natal was involved in a motor vehicle accident and taken to hospital.
“The Commission is providing the necessary support to the affected officials who were at the stations as well as the family of the now deceased colleagues,” Shiburi said.
The Commission has not provided further details about the circumstances surrounding the presiding officer’s collapse.
Special voting continues despite tragic incidents
The death of the IEC official came as special voting commenced across the country ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
Special voting allows registered voters whose applications have been approved to cast their ballots before the main voting day. It also includes eligible voters who require assistance at home or at institutions.
Shiburi said that despite the unfortunate incidents, the IEC had recorded an overall strong performance during the opening day.
He said the Commission was working to maintain operations at voting stations and ensure that eligible voters were able to participate in the electoral process.
IEC reports 94% of voting stations opened successfully
According to Shiburi, approximately 94% of voting stations opened with all staff present and the necessary election materials, including ballot papers, available when voting started.
The Commission said the opening of voting stations had generally proceeded smoothly, with improvements attributed to measures introduced to make the voting process more efficient.
“In the majority of cases, voters have been smoothly assisted with demonstrable improvement owing to the various efficiency measures that the Commission has implemented,” Shiburi said.
However, operational challenges were reported in parts of Cape Town.
By 10:30am on Monday, 10 of the city’s 116 wards had not yet opened their voting stations.
The IEC said efforts were underway to ensure that the affected stations opened and remained operational so that approved special voters could exercise their democratic rights.
IEC aims to improve performance in Cape Town
Shiburi acknowledged the delays in Cape Town and said the Commission was working to improve its performance during the afternoon.
He also expressed confidence that the second and final day of special voting on Tuesday would see a stronger performance.
The IEC has continued to monitor the situation at voting stations while working to address logistical challenges and improve voter processing.
New IEC measures introduced to speed up voting
The Commission has introduced several measures aimed at reducing queues and improving the processing of voters during special voting and the main election day.
Among the improvements are handheld scanners connected to the Voter Management Device (VMD).
These scanners are being used to speed up the scanning of identity numbers and improve the movement of voters through voting stations.
The IEC has also enhanced its voter management devices and the applications installed on them to improve reliability and performance.
Sequence numbers introduced on voters’ roll
Another important measure is the introduction of sequence numbers on the voters’ roll.
The sequence numbers allow election officials to locate voters more efficiently without having to rely solely on searching for names.
The Commission has encouraged voters to confirm their registration details, voting stations and sequence numbers before travelling to cast their ballots.
Voters can access their details through the following IEC channels:
- WhatsApp: 0600 88 0000
- Contact centre: 0800 11 8000
- SMS: Send an SMS to 32810 at a cost of R1
These services provide confirmation of a voter’s registered voting station and their sequence number on the voters’ roll.
The IEC contact centre operates from 7am to 7pm during the special-voting period. On Wednesday, 4 November, election day, the contact centre will operate from 7am until 9pm.
Special voting continues until Tuesday
Special voting for the 2026 Local Government Elections takes place on Monday, 2 November, and Tuesday, 3 November.
Voting stations remain open until 5pm on both days for voters whose applications for special votes have been approved.
Shiburi reminded voters to bring an acceptable identity document when visiting their registered voting stations.
The accepted documents include:
- A smart ID card
- A green barcoded identity document book
- A Temporary Identity Certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs
The IEC said Home Affairs offices were maintaining operating hours aligned with those of voting stations to assist people who had misplaced or lost their identity documents.
Home visits and special ballots
IEC officials conducting home visits for approved special voters were expected to return by 5pm on Monday.
This allows officials to reconcile the ballots and ensure that special votes are securely stored overnight.
Shiburi confirmed that the special ballots would remain securely stored and would only be counted after voting stations closed on Wednesday, 4 November.
The process is intended to protect the integrity of the elections and ensure that special votes are handled in accordance with electoral procedures.
Local elections set for Wednesday, 4 November
The main voting day for the 2026 Local Government Elections is Wednesday, 4 November.
Registered voters across South Africa will elect municipal representatives who will be responsible for local governance, service delivery and development in their communities.
The IEC has urged voters to confirm their registration information and voting station details ahead of election day to avoid unnecessary delays.
The Commission is also expected to continue monitoring the performance of voting stations and addressing operational challenges as the electoral process progresses.
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Conclusion
The IEC official who died after collapsing at a voting station in Mahikeng has cast a sombre mood over the opening of special voting for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The Commission has confirmed that support is being provided to the deceased official’s family and affected colleagues, while a deputy presiding officer injured in KwaZulu-Natal is receiving medical attention.
Despite these tragic incidents and operational delays in parts of Cape Town, the IEC says special voting has started positively across most of the country.
With new measures such as handheld scanners, improved voter management devices and sequence numbers, the Commission is working to make voting more efficient and accessible.
South Africans whose special-voting applications have been approved have until Tuesday to cast their ballots, ahead of the main local elections on Wednesday, 4 November.
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References from mmainstream media
- News24: “IEC official dies, another injured in crash as special voting kicks off for 2026 elections” (Covers Masego Shiburi’s briefing confirming the tragic death in Mahikeng and the KZN vehicle accident) – https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/iec-official-dies-another-injured-as-special-voting-kicks-off-for-2026-elections-20261102
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Eyewitness News (EWN): “IEC saddened by death of presiding officer in Mahikeng during special voting” (Focuses on the collapse of the presiding officer and the IEC’s response to support the affected families and staff) – https://ewn.co.za/2026/11/02/iec-saddened-by-death-of-presiding-officer-in-mahikeng-during-special-voting
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SABC News: “Special voting gets off to a bumpy start in Cape Town, IEC confirms death of official” (Highlights the early delays in 10 wards across Cape Town alongside the official’s passing) – https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/special-voting-gets-off-to-a-bumpy-start-in-cape-town-iec-confirms-death-of-official/
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TimesLIVE: “Handheld scanners and sequence numbers: How the IEC plans to speed up voting” (Details the technological measures, VMD scanners, and sequence numbers implemented by the IEC to improve queue times) – https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-11-02-handheld-scanners-and-sequence-numbers-how-the-iec-plans-to-speed-up-voting/
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