As South Africa gears up for the General Elections on Wednesday, 29 May 2024, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has issued a guide for voters on the application process for special votes.
Special votes enable those registered voters who are unable to make it to their polling station on Election Day, to cast their ballots on an earlier date. The IEC has outlined that special votes are provided for those individuals who are either pregnant, suffer from infirmity, or have disabilities that prevent them from visiting a voting station on Election Day. Moreover, those absent due to work commitments are also entitled to apply.
The IEC has announced that the special votes and home visitations for the upcoming general elections are scheduled for the 27th and 28th of May. There is also a strict deadline for applications, set for the 3rd of May.
How to Apply
Voters interested in securing a special vote must follow a straightforward online process. The IEC website – https://www.elections.org.za/ – is the starting point. By clicking on the “Voters” tab and selecting “Apply for a special vote”, individuals can embark on their application journey.
Key criteria for eligibility include being a registered voter and holding a valid South African identity document. Voters can confirm their registration and location through the IEC’s registration checking service, which can be accessed via SMS by texting an ID number to 32810, or by phoning the IEC contact center at 012 622 5700.
It is legislated that you qualify for a special vote if you are unable to travel to your voting station due to physical disability, infirmity, pregnancy, or if you’re unable to attend on Election Day.
Further Options for Applying for a Special Vote
If a voter cannot cast their ballot at their voting station on Election Day, there are alternative routes to apply for a special vote for the set date. These include utilizing the IEC’s secure online form or sending an SMS with their identity number to 32249. In-person submissions of the MEC 35 form are also accepted at local IEC offices (excluding national and provincial offices).
Appointments at IEC Offices
For those unable to apply digitally, in-person visits to local IEC offices are necessary. One can appoint a family member to submit an application on another’s behalf, for home voting. To secure an appointment, contact the local IEC office.
On visiting an IEC office, which is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, applicants must present the MEC 35 form, obtainable online or at the office.
Application Status
Following the special vote application submission, an applicant can confirm their application status online or telephonically. To check online, visit the IEC’s website, navigate to “Check the status of special vote application”, select the relevant election, and input the ID number.
Alternatively, the IEC call center can be reached at 0800 11 8000 for updates on special vote application status.