How to register for a special vote

A SPECIAL vote allows a registered voter who can’t vote at their voting station on election day to apply to vote on a predetermined day before election day.

Special voting in South Africa in the 2019 National and Provincial Elections will take place on May 6 and 7 as per the election timetable.

By law, special votes can only be cast on the dates specified in the election timetable and no exceptions can be made.

Do I qualify for a special vote?

You can apply if you:

• are a registered voter,

• have a valid South African identity document (green barcoded ID book, smart ID card or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate).

To check that you’re registered and to find out where you’re registered, you can:

• check your voter registration status online,

• SMS your ID number to 32810, or

• Call the IEC contact centre on 0800 11 800.

By law, you can apply for a special vote if you:

• can’t travel to your voting station because you are physically infirm, disabled or pregnant;

• can’t vote at your voting station on election day.

How to apply for a special vote at my voting station?

If you can’t vote at your voting station on election day, you can apply to cast a special vote at your voting station between April 4 and April 18 as per the election timetable, in one of the following ways:

• Online via the website (https://www.elections.org.za/content/For-Voters/Special-vote-online-application/).

• SMS your ID number to 32249 (for special votes at a voting station ONLY).

• By visiting your local IEC office (not the national or provincial offices) and submitting a VEC1 form. Forms can only be hand-delivered (no emails or faxes accepted), but someone else can deliver your completed form on your behalf.

You will receive an SMS notifying you of the outcome once your application has been processed, but you can also check the status of your special vote application online.

Remember to vote at the voting station where you are registered and applied for the special vote, either on May 6 or 7.

How to apply for a special vote by home visit

If you can’t travel to your voting station on election day because you are physically infirm, disabled or pregnant, you can apply to cast a special vote by home visit on May 6 or 7.

Note, you can only apply for a special vote between April 4 and 18 as per the election timetable, in one of the following ways:

• Online via the website (https://www.elections.org.za/content/For-Voters/Special-vote-online-application/).

• By having a family member or friend visit your local IEC office (not the national or provincial offices) and submitting a VEC1 form on your behalf. Forms can only be hand-delivered (no emails or faxes accepted).

You will receive an SMS notifying you of the outcome once your application has been processed, but you can also check the status of your special vote application online.

What happens when I cast a special vote?

If your application for a special vote is successful, you will vote as follows:

• Your thumbnail is marked with indelible ink.

• You receive the relevant ballot paper(s).

• You mark the ballot(s) in secret, place and seal the ballot(s) in an unmarked envelope.

• The unmarked envelope is placed in another envelope that is marked with your name, ID number and voting district (VD) number. The use of two envelopes is to ensure the secrecy of your ballot (the outer envelope is discarded before counting).

• IEC officials take the envelope and place it in a secure ballot box for special votes.

• Your name is marked off the voters’ roll with “SV” to indicate you have cast a special vote.

Information taken from official IEC website.

For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.

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