President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the 2024 general elections will be held on 29 May.
A registered voter can apply for a special vote on a predetermined day before Election Day if they are unable to cast their ballot at their voting station on that day.
According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), this pronouncement of the election date provides an unambiguous motivation for the commission to pull out all the stops in the intensification of preparations for Election Day.
To qualify for a special vote, one must be unable to visit your local voting station on voting day because you are pregnant, infirm (aged) or have another disability that prevents you from visiting a voting station on Election Day. A registered voter can also apply for a special vote if he/ she will be working on Election Day.
Voters are urged to visit the IEC’s website at https://www.elections.org.za/ or SMS their ID number to 32810, to apply or check their registration status. A voter can visit their local IEC offices to apply to cast a special vote at their voting station on the predetermined date as per the election timetable.
According to the IEC, special votes can either be cast at home (where IEC officials visit you at your residence) or at a voting station.
Special votes and home visits will take place on May 27 and 28. The IEC says the closing date for this year’s special votes applications will be May 3.