IEC Presiding Officer Dies After Collapsing at Mahikeng Voting Station
An Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) presiding officer has died after collapsing at a voting station in Mahikeng, North West, on Monday, the first day of special voting for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Masego Shiburi confirmed the death during a media briefing in Midrand, saying the commission was supporting the official’s family and colleagues.
In a separate incident, a deputy presiding officer in the uKhahlamba district, KwaZulu-Natal, was taken to hospital after being involved in a car accident while travelling to a voting station.
Despite the incidents, Shiburi said special voting had largely started smoothly across the country, with most voting stations opening on time and staff and materials in place.
Special voting takes place today, 2 and 3 November, ahead of the main voting day on 4 November.
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