The window period for applications by voters to cast special votes in South Africa’s upcoming National and Provincial Elections opens today and closes on 18 April 2019.
There are two categories of special votes cast inside South Africa:
- Special votes cast during home visits: These are only available to voters who are unable to reach a voting station (a voter may apply to be visited at an address outside of his/her voting district where registered) due to physical infirmity, disability or pregnancy. These will be conducted between 09H00 and 17H00 on Monday 6 May 2019 and 7 May 2019 (if necessary).
- Special votes cast at a voting station: These are available to any voter who is unable to cast their ballot on voting day. These votes can be cast at the voting station where you are registered between 09H00 and 17H00 on Monday 6 May and Tuesday 7 May 2019.
Applications for special votes in a home visit can be made:
- By submitting an application online via a secure portal at https://www.elections.org.za/IECOnline/Special-Vote-Session
- By submitting a completed VEC 1 form at the local office of the IEC in an area a voter intends to be visited. Forms can only be hand-delivered (no emails or faxes accepted). These forms can be delivered by a third party on behalf of the voter. VEC 1 forms are available for download at https://www.elections.org.za/IECOnline/About-Special-Vote
Applications for special votes cast at a voter’s voting station can be made:
- By SMSing your ID number to 32249 (R1.00 per SMS)
- By submitting an application online via a secure portal at https://www.elections.org.za/IECOnline/Special-Vote-Session
- By submitting a completed VEC 1 form at your local IEC office. Forms can only be hand-delivered (no emails or faxes accepted). VEC 1 forms are available for download at https://www.elections.org.za/IECOnline/About-Special-Vote
All applicants for both types of special votes will receive an SMS notifying them of the outcome of their application once it has been processed. Voters can also check the status of their special vote application online at https://www.elections.org.za/IECOnline/Check-My-Special-Vote-Application-Status
(Note: Applications for special votes to be cast by South African voters abroad closed on 13 March 2019)
