PROJECT: VOTING DAY SAFETY IN SOUTH AFRICA
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS, RECOGNISE THE RISKS AND ACT RESPONSIBLY
South Africa's 2026 Local Government Elections take place tomorrow, Wednesday, 4 November 2026, a public holiday, with voting stations open from 07:00 to 21:00. Special voting took place yesterday and continues today, Tuesday, 3 November, until 17:00. Election officials are visiting approved voters at home, and other special voters are casting their ballots at voting stations. Genuine home visits only take place on 2 and 3 November, and only for voters whose special vote applications were approved by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Officials work in teams and may be accompanied by political party agents and observers, but whether anyone other than the electoral officials enters your home is your choice. If you missed your home visit, you have not lost your vote. You can still vote at your voting station on Wednesday, 4 November.
These three days bring large crowds, heavy traffic, empty homes and election officials moving through communities, all of which create opportunities for criminals. Elderly and vulnerable voters who receive home visits are at particular risk from people pretending to be election officials.
Ask any visitor claiming to be from the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) for identification, and keep your gate locked until you are satisfied. Your ID document may be checked, but it should never leave your sight. Never hand over money, bank cards, PINs or one-time PINs to anyone offering to help you vote. If you are suspicious of a visitor, do not let them in.
Unverified social media posts and forwarded messages are a common source of confusion and scams during elections. Rely only on official IEC information.
1. PREPARATION BEFORE LEAVING HOME:
Preparing before you leave on Wednesday reduces delays and helps you avoid preventable safety risks.
KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE VOTING:
In these municipal elections you may only vote at the voting station where you are registered. Know the exact location before you leave, so you are not driving around unfamiliar areas or queuing at the wrong station. You can check your voting station by SMSing your 13-digit ID number to 32810 or by sending "Hi" on WhatsApp to the IEC at 060 088 0000.
CARRY THE CORRECT IDENTITY DOCUMENT:
Only a smart ID card, green barcoded ID book or valid Temporary Identity Certificate will be accepted. Driver's licences, passports, student cards and photocopies are not accepted. Keep your ID document on your person, not in a bag or vehicle where it can be stolen.
SECURE YOUR HOME:
Election day is a public holiday and many families will leave home together to vote. Lock all doors, windows and gates, activate your alarm and do not announce on social media that your home is empty. Where possible, ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your property.
PLAN YOUR JOURNEY:
Voting stations are open from 07:00 to 21:00. Allow enough time for queues and traffic, travel during daylight where possible and use familiar routes. Avoid leaving it until late in the evening, when queues may still be long and you may have to walk back to your vehicle in the dark.
PREPARE FOR WAITING PERIODS:
Wear comfortable clothing and suitable footwear. Take water, sun protection, any essential medication and only the personal items you need.
ASSIST VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS:
Older persons, people with disabilities and those requiring mobility assistance should arrange transport with family or trusted people in advance, and should not travel to or wait at voting stations alone. Do not accept lifts or offers of help from strangers at or near voting stations.
2. PERSONAL SECURITY AT VOTING STATIONS:
Voting stations will attract large crowds, political representatives, election officials and observers. Most election-related activity is lawful and peaceful, but you should remain aware of your surroundings at all times.
VEHICLE AND PROPERTY SECURITY:
Park in a lawful, reasonably secure and well-lit location. Lock your vehicle, close the windows and keep valuables out of sight. Physically check that your doors are locked, as criminals use remote jamming devices in busy parking areas. Remain alert when getting into or out of your vehicle.
Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle while you queue.
CROWD AWARENESS:
Be patient in queues, follow instructions from authorised election officials and avoid pushing or becoming involved in disputes. If tensions escalate, move away from the confrontation rather than attempting to intervene physically.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS:
Keep handbags, mobile phones, wallets and identity documents secure and close to your body. Avoid displaying cash, jewellery or expensive equipment. Be cautious of distractions, unnecessary physical contact and strangers attempting to draw your attention away from your belongings.
TRAVEL AND COMMUNICATION:
Let a trusted person know when you leave and when you return, particularly when assisting a vulnerable family member. Keep your mobile phone charged and save emergency numbers before you leave.
3. POLITICAL INTIMIDATION AND UNLAWFUL CONDUCT:
Every voter must be free to make an independent political choice. Threats, coercion and unlawful interference with voting undermine the democratic process and can amount to criminal offences.
Members of the public must not:
Threaten, intimidate or harass voters because of their political preferences.
Obstruct access to voting stations.
Attempt to force another person to vote for a particular party or candidate.
Interfere with ballot papers, ballot boxes or election officials performing their duties.
Participate in violence, vandalism or retaliation.
Use social media to threaten individuals or encourage violence against political opponents.
If intimidation or violence occurs, prioritise your personal safety. Move away from the immediate danger, notify the Presiding Officer at the voting station and report criminal conduct to the South African Police Service (SAPS). Do not confront suspected offenders if doing so could place you or others at risk. Suspected electoral irregularities should be reported to the IEC, and serious criminal conduct to SAPS.
4. VOTING PROCEDURES AND BALLOT SECURITY:
Following the correct procedure protects both your vote and the secrecy of your choice.
VERIFY YOUR IDENTITY:
Present your ID document to the election officials. Once your details are confirmed on the voters' roll, your thumbnail will be marked with indelible ink to prevent double voting.
CHECK YOUR BALLOT PAPERS:
If you are registered in a metropolitan municipality, such as Cape Town or Johannesburg, you will receive two ballot papers. If you are registered in a local municipality, you will receive three. Make sure you receive the correct number and understand each one before you vote.
VOTE PRIVATELY:
Mark your ballot papers in private in the voting booth. Make one clear X on each ballot paper and do not write your name, sign it or make other marks, as this may make your vote invalid. If you make a mistake, do not place the ballot in the box. Return it to the Presiding Officer and ask for assistance.
PROTECT YOUR BALLOT:
Fold your ballot papers to keep your choice private and place them in the ballot box as directed. Do not photograph your marked ballot. Proof of how you voted can be used to pressure voters or buy votes. Do not allow anyone to pressure you into revealing how you voted.
REPORT CONCERNS:
If you believe a ballot has been issued incorrectly, procedures have been breached or interference has occurred, raise the matter with the Presiding Officer immediately. Do not remove ballot papers from the voting station or interfere with election materials.
5. MISINFORMATION, FALSE REPORTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA:
Election periods can create an environment in which unverified information spreads rapidly. False claims about voting station closures, election violence, ballot irregularities or supposed changes to voting procedures can cause confusion and discourage lawful participation.
SSS advises the public to verify information before sharing it.
Particular caution is required when encountering:
Messages claiming that voting stations have moved or closed without confirmation from the IEC.
Videos or photographs presented as current election incidents without reliable information about their origin or date.
False claims that particular voters are prohibited from voting.
Impersonators claiming to represent the IEC, SAPS or authorised election observers.
Requests for money in exchange for voting assistance, political benefits or promises of preferential treatment.
Messages encouraging retaliation, vigilantism or confrontation based on unverified allegations.
Do not circulate material simply because it has been shared by a trusted contact or appears convincing. Preserve relevant evidence when reporting a credible threat or suspected offence, and provide it to the appropriate authorities without altering it.
6. CRIMINAL OPPORTUNISM DURING ELECTION PERIODS:
Large gatherings and heightened public activity may create opportunities for opportunistic crime. Voters should remain alert to theft, fraud, impersonation and attempts to exploit public confusion.
Be cautious of individuals who request access to personal documents without a clear and legitimate reason, offer unsolicited assistance in exchange for money or attempt to obtain confidential information.
Do not disclose identity numbers, banking credentials, passwords or one-time PINs to strangers. The need to participate in an election does not justify handing over sensitive information to an unauthorised person.
Report suspicious activity through the appropriate channels. Avoid making public accusations against identifiable individuals without reliable evidence, as misinformation can compromise investigations and unfairly damage reputations.
7. EMERGENCY AND REPORTING CONTACTS:
Members of the public should keep the following contacts available:
SAPS emergency number: 10111
IEC contact centre: 0800 11 8000
IEC WhatsApp: 060 088 0000
For an immediate threat to life or physical safety, move to a safer location and contact emergency services as soon as possible. When reporting an incident, give factual information about the location, time, what happened and any immediate danger. Do not place yourself at risk to obtain photographs or recordings.
8. AFTER THE VOTE:
By law, the IEC has up to seven days to declare the results, and tensions may rise in some areas as results are released. Avoid gatherings around voting stations and results centres. Stay away from protests or celebrations that become confrontational, and do not share results or claims of fraud until they have been confirmed by the IEC.
THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC IN A SAFE ELECTION:
Election security is a shared responsibility of the IEC, SAPS, other authorised agencies, political organisations and members of the public. Each has a role in protecting lawful participation and maintaining public order within the limits of its authority.
Citizens can contribute by respecting opposing political views, complying with lawful instructions, reporting credible threats, rejecting misinformation and refusing to take part in intimidation or violence.
Wednesday, 4 November should be marked by lawful participation, personal responsibility and respect for the constitutional rights of others. Preparation, situational awareness and verifying information before acting on it can reduce preventable risks and protect voters from criminal opportunism.
Specialised Security Services urges all registered voters to exercise their democratic rights responsibly, remain alert to their surroundings and report credible threats or criminal conduct to the appropriate authorities. Political disagreement must never become a justification for intimidation, violence or unlawful interference with another person's right to vote.
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Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
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