Elderly voters turn out in numbers despite Free State voting delays

Elderly voters turn out in numbers despite Free State voting delays Estelle.Bronkhorst Tue, 11/03/2026 - 07:00

BLOEMFONTEIN - Special voting in the Free State got off to a rocky start, with delays reported at several voting stations.

Some stations opened late, while others were still waiting for ballot papers to be delivered.

More than 132,000 residents have been approved for special votes, including 33,000 who are expected to receive home visits.

**READ: **IEC estimates 780,000 people cast special votes on first day

Despite the initial hiccups, those who managed to cast their ballots in person did so with enthusiasm.

At Western Bloem Retirement Village, more than a thousand approved voters queued from early morning, eager to have their say in choosing their municipal leaders.

But enthusiasm was accompanied by frustration, as the first day of special voting exposed a number of logistical and administrative challenges.

**READ: **IEC assures that approved special voters will cast their ballots

The IEC says that despite the initial hiccups, the process was largely on track, with no major disruptions reported.

There are 628 municipal seats up for grabs in the Free State, with 21 political parties contesting the elections.

• eNCA's Manqoba Mchunu reports.