Siyancuma:The Electoral Commission has mandated a revote at the Bongani Gemeenskapsaal Voting District in Ward 3 of the Siyancuma Local Municipality, Northern Cape, following the destruction of more than 100 uncounted ballots. This decision comes after the storming of the counting center, which led to the loss of these ballots.

According to South African Government News Agency, the Commission is acting under Section 10 of the Municipal Electoral Act 2000, which permits a revote when ballot papers are lost, destroyed, or unlawfully removed before the counting process is completed. The revote aims to ensure that the affected community can exercise their democratic right to vote fairly.

Special vote applications are open from November 10 to 14, 2026. Registered voters in the affected district can apply online, via SMS, or at an IEC local office. For SMS applications, voters should send their identity number to 32249, with a cost of R1 per SMS, applicable only for voting station applications.

Eligible voters can submit their applications through several channels online via the Commission’s website, by sending an SMS, or by visiting an IEC local office with a completed MEC 35 form. Approved special voters will cast their ballots on November 17, 2026, either at the Bongani Gemeenskapsaal Community Hall voting station or through an approved home visit.

The Commission has set November 18, 2026, as the election day for the revote, running from 07h00 to 21h00. Only registered voters on the Bongani Gemeenskapsaal Voting District’s roll are eligible to vote at the Bongani Community Hall voting station.

A communication campaign is underway, with Municipal Outreach Officers engaging residents about the revote. The Commission encourages cooperation from the community with these officers. Voters can reach the IEC Contact Centre at 0800 11 8000 for assistance on weekdays from 08h00 to 17h00.