South Africa’s special voting for the 4 November local government elections is underway, with 2.65 million voters approved to cast ballots. Multiple reports focus on problems in the Cape Metro area of the Western Cape, where ballot-delivery and printing issues disrupt voting at a large number of voting stations.
Outlets report that 217 voting stations are affected after special-vote ballots are delivered late or have not arrived by morning. The IEC (as described by the outlets) cites printing and delivery problems and, in at least one report, issues an apology for the disruptions. Coverage also notes practical impacts for voters, including advice that some should return later when ballots are available, and IEC guidance that approved special-vote voters have until 5pm on Tuesday, 3 November, to cast their ballots.
While the overall story is consistent across outlets—delays concentrated in Cape Metro—framing differs. Some lead with the scale of approved special voters and timing, while others foreground the early “rocky” start, IEC explanations, and the number of districts where voting is delayed.
