The Electoral Commission (EC) of South Africa has announced that applications for special votes are now open. Registered voters who will be unable to cast their ballots at their designated polling station on November 4, the day of the local government elections, can apply for a special vote. The EC said that voters who qualify for special votes have until October 12, 17:00, to submit their applications.
Special votes are intended for registered voters who are unable to vote at their designated polling station on election day due to certain circumstances. There are two categories of special votes. The first category is for voters who are physically unable to go to a polling station and can apply for a home visit. If their application is approved, electoral officials will visit them at their registered address within the voting district where they are registered to cast their ballot.
The second category of special votes is for voters who are able to go to their polling station but will be unable to do so on November 4. If their application is approved, they will be able to cast their ballot on November 2 or 3 at the polling station where they are registered. The EC also said that voters who will be outside their voting district on election day, including those working in essential services or the media, can also apply for a special vote.
To apply for a special vote, voters can submit their application on the EC's website at www.elections.org.za. Voters who want to cast a special vote at their polling station can also send their ID number via SMS to 32249 for R1. This option is not available for home visits. Voters can also visit their local EC office and submit a special vote application form, which must be delivered in person and cannot be sent via email or fax.
The EC emphasized that a special vote must still be cast at the polling station where the voter is registered. In the case of an approved home visit, the ballot will be cast at the voter's registered address within that voting district. The local government elections are scheduled to take place on November 4.
The EC encourages voters to apply for special votes if they meet the qualifying criteria. The commission said that it is committed to ensuring that all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots in the upcoming elections. Voters who have any questions or concerns about the special vote application process can contact their local EC office for assistance.
The application process for special votes will close on October 12, 17:00. Voters are urged to submit their applications in time to ensure that they can exercise their right to vote in the local government elections. The EC will provide updates on the voting process and any other important information on its website and social media channels.
Key points
- Applications for special votes are now open for registered voters in South Africa who will be unable to vote at their designated polling station on November 4.
- Voters have until October 12, 17:00, to submit their applications for special votes.
- Special votes can be cast at a polling station or through a home visit, depending on the voter's circumstances.
