Deadline for special vote applications looms

Those who cannot vote at their voting station on 7 May due to disabilities, illness, old age, pregnancy, physical infirmity, or work or travel communities have until 5pm on 17 April to apply to cast special vote.

Those who qualify for a special vote will cast their vote on 5 and 6 May, during home visits by an Independent Electoral Commission official or at a voting station.

Applicants must submit a completed VEC1 form, which is available on the IEC website or a local IEC office.

Click here to download a VEC1 form.

All forms must be hand delivered – but can be delivered by another person on the applicant’s behalf.

Acting Government Communication and Information System CEO, Harold Maloka, said “Government encourages the elderly and people with disabilities to submit their applications for special votes… All registered South African voters are urged to exercise their democratic right to vote on the prescribed days.”

Those applying to cast special votes can determine the status of their applications by sending an SMS to 32711 (R1 per SMS sent or received) or check online by entering the ID number on the IEC’s website.