Voters who are unable to cast their vote at their voting station on May 18 will have until 5pm on Tuesday May 3 to apply for a special vote.
For the first time, voters will be able to cast special votes in a local government election.
After the promulgation on March 10 of the date for the municipal elections, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) approved an election timetable outlining the electoral processes and time frames until election day, including for special votes.
“If you are a South African citizen, 18 years and older and your name appears on the voters’ roll but you cannot vote on election day at the voting station in the voting district where you have been registered, you qualify for a special vote,” the IEC said in a recent statement.
Police and media
The chief electoral officer, Pansy Tlakula, said that special votes also apply for members of the South African Police Service who will be on duty during the election period; voting station staff and other electoral staff who will be working on election day; members of the media; and agents of political parties who will represent their parties at voting stations on election day.
Those applicants who cannot vote on 18 May will cast their special votes on Monday May 16 between 8am and 5pm at the voting station in the voting district where they are registered.
Those who are physically infirm or disabled will be visited by IEC staff on May 16 and 17 at home.
The IEC also reminded voters that they can only vote in the district where they are registered.
To ensure the special votes application has been approved, visit the IEC website at www.elections.org.za or SMS your ID number to 32711.