Home Affairs Extends Office Hours Ahead of 2026 Local Government Elections

 The intervention aims to ensure that eligible citizens have the required identification documents to cast their ballots.

Under the revised schedule, front offices will operate with extended shifts beginning Monday, 2 November 2026. From 2 November through 3 November, branches will be open from 08:00 to 18:00 daily, allowing individuals to collect already issued identity documents, apply for new smart ID cards, or obtain Temporary Identity Certificates (TICs). On election day itself, Wednesday, 4 November, operating hours will expand further from 07:00 to 21:00 to align directly with the voting times established by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC).

The initiative addresses recurring concerns over uncollected identity documents held at DHA branches prior to major electoral events. Local community structures, civic forums, and community leaders have been called upon to assist in notifying residents and encouraging prompt collection before polling stations open. 

Eligible voters needing identity verification services are advised to visit their nearest Home Affairs branch during these designated hours to ensure compliance with voter identification requirements on election day.

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