Register for special votes
You are allowed to register to bring out a special vote under certain circumstances
TIME is running out for residents to register for special votes for the upcoming local elections.
Registration for a special vote closes on July 8.
You will be allowed a special vote under certain circumstances.
The following people can apply for a special vote, if they meet the requirements and are registered voters:
*People who will be working on election day, such has SAPS, nurses and firefighters;
*Senior citizens who may find it difficult to stand for long periods of time;
*People with disabilities who will find the logistics of voting day difficult;
*Couples who are pregnant;
*People who are immobile due to illness, at home or in hospital;
*People who will be away on business on voting day.
Voters can apply for special votes by using one of the following methods:
*Online at www.elections.org.za
*Via SMS using 32249. Please note that this is for voting station special votes only.
*At your local IEC office.
Where do I vote?
*If you can travel, but can’t vote at the voting station where you are registered on election day, you must vote at the voting station where you are registered either on Monday, August 1 or Tuesday, August 2.
*Voting stations will be open from 08:00 to 17:00 for special voting and not from 07:00 to 19:00 as is the case on election day.
*If you can’t travel to the voting station where you are registered because you are physically infirm, disabled or pregnant, voting officials will visit you on Monday, August 1 or Tuesday, August 2 at the place where you live, which must be within the voting district where you’re registered, and allow you to vote.
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.
*Your ID book is stamped. New ID card is not stamped.
*You receive the relevant ballot papers.
*Please note in metropolitan wards you will receive two ballot papers. The one ballot paper is to vote for your ward councillor – select the person that you would want to work for your ward. The second ballot paper is to vote for your party of choice. This vote determines how many proportional representative councillors each party will have in the metro where you vote.
*You mark the ballots in secret, place and seal the ballots in an unmarked envelop.
*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 that you have cast a special vote.
