Options for those who can’t get to voting stations
JOBURG - While most of the country will undoubtedly take to the polls on 7 May, there is no guarantee that all voters will be able to reach a voting station on the day.
The commitment to making your mark could be scuppered by unexpected travel, illness, study or work responsibilities. However, there are a few options available to those who cannot vote on election day.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) website, a special vote is available to registered voters who cannot vote at their voting station on election day but are available on 5 or 6 May.
This includes those who cannot get to their voting station because they are travelling, physically infirm, disabled or pregnant. This special vote allows voters to apply to vote on a predetermined day before 7 May.
According to Tim Truluck, Ward 117 councillor, applications for a special vote must be made between 7 and 17 April. And voters must apply at any IEC office or submit the original completed VEC1 form to their ward councillor, or old age home secretary, he explained.
All forms must be hand delivered – but can be delivered by another person on the applicant’s behalf. No faxed or emailed copies of the form will be accepted.
Click here to download a VEC1 form.
According to Truluck, depending on the request made on the form, voters may be permitted to vote on 5 or 6 May at their voting station. Alternatively, the IEC will arrange to visit voters at their home, hospital or old age home on 5 or 6 May.
Meanwhile, voters who will be outside the province in which they are registered from 5 to 7 May, can vote at another voting station in the country; however, they will forfeit their provincial vote.
Registered voters who live, study, work or are on holiday in another country, have until 12 March to download, complete and submit a VEC10 form.
Such voters will only be permitted to vote on 30 April at the embassy, mission or consulate stipulated on the form.
Voters can submit an online notification or download and complete a VEC10 which can be faxed, emailed or personally delivered.
Click here to make an online notification or to download a VEC10 form and receive further information about submission methods.
Those who cannot meet any of the above mentioned voting alternatives will not be able to vote in the 2014 elections. The public cannot vote online or via post.
