IEC Orders Revote at Bongani Gemeenskapsaal Voting District After Ballot Destruction

NORTHERN CAPE — The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has officially ordered a revote at the Bongani Gemeenskapsaal Voting District in Ward 3 of the Siyancuma Local Municipality. This administrative action follows the storming of a local counting centre and the subsequent destruction of more than 100 cast but uncounted ballot papers.

The decision to mandate a fresh election is grounded in Section 10 of the Municipal Electoral Act of 2000, which empowers the Commission to order a revote when ballot papers are lost, destroyed, or unlawfully removed before the counting process is completed.

“The Commission’s decision for a revote follows the storming of the counting centre and destruction of over 100 cast but uncounted ballot papers,” an Electoral Commission spokesperson stated. “Therefore, the revote is intended to give the affected community a fair and equal opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote.”

Special Vote Application Process
Registered voters in the affected district who require special voting arrangements can submit applications between 10 and 14 November 2026. The Electoral Commission has outlined three official channels for submission:

1. Online: Voters may visit the Commission’s website at www.elections.org.za to complete the secure special vote application form.
2. SMS: Voters can send their identity number to 32249 at a cost of R1 per SMS. This option is strictly available for applications to vote at a designated voting station.
3. In-Person: Applicants may visit a local IEC office to submit a completed MEC 35 special vote application form. These forms must be hand-delivered, as email submissions are not accepted. A third party may deliver the form on the applicant’s behalf.

Approved special voters will cast their ballots on Tuesday, 17 November 2026, between 08h00 and 17h00. Voting will take place at the Bongani Gemeenskapsaal Community Hall voting station or via an approved home visit.

Revote Election Day Details
The official election day for the revote is scheduled for Wednesday, 18 November 2026, with polling stations open from 07h00 to 21h00. All registered voters on the affected voting district’s roll will cast their ballots at the Bongani Community Hall voting station.

The Electoral Commission emphasized that the revote is strictly limited in scope. “The revote applies only to registered voters on the roll for Bongani Gemeenskapsaal Voting District. It does not include all voters in the municipality or voters in other voting districts in Ward 3,” the spokesperson confirmed.

Community Outreach and Communication
To ensure clarity and transparency, a targeted communication campaign is currently underway. The Electoral Commission will deploy Municipal Outreach Officers to engage directly with residents regarding the logistical arrangements for the revote.

“We urge community members to cooperate with the Commission’s Municipal Outreach Officers as they engage with residents ahead of the revote,” the Commission stated, reinforcing its commitment to facilitating a secure and accessible electoral process for the affected community.