The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has implemented strict safety measures and protocols at all voting stations across the country, to ensure the safety of all voters, election staff, observers and other stakeholders ahead of Wednesday’s by-elections.

By-elections are to take places in 24 wards across 17 municipalities in all nine provinces, with 77 candidates representing 14 political parties. Eighteen independent candidates will contest the ward by-election with voting taking place in 118 voting stations from 07:00 until 21:00.

“Protective equipment, including masks, gloves and face shields, will be worn by election staff at voting stations and additional safety equipment will be worn for staff conducting home visits for those voters who are physically disabled, infirm or pregnant,” said the IEC.

Voters are urged to wear masks that cover the nose and mouth and to practice social distancing inside and outside of voting stations. Voters must also sanitise when entering and exiting voting stations.

The IEC explained that it has replaced the traditional indelible ink marker pens with an indelible ink liquid which will be applied from a bottle to the thumb of voters using disposable cotton buds.

Voters are urged to vote where they registered, bring their green barcoded or smartcard IDs and to bring their own pens, if preferred. When unsure of the voting stations, voters can SMS their ID number to 32810, which costs R10, to check their registration and voting station.