4 April 2014
Applications for special votes in South Africa’s 7 May national and provincial elections can be made at local offices of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) between 9am and 5pm from Monday 7 April through 17 April, the IEC said this week.
There are two categories of special votes: home visits, and special voting at a registered voting station. Special votes will be cast on Monday 5 May and Tuesday 6 May.
Only voters with pre-approved applications submitted during the window period of 7 to 17 April will be able to cast a special vote.
Election officials will visit voters who have successfully applied for home visits due to physical infirmity, disability or pregnancy. The home visits will be conducted on 5 and 6 May.
Voters who will be absent from the voting district where they are registered on election day may apply to cast their vote early. This voting will take place at voting stations where voters are registered between 9am and 5pm on 5 and 6 May.
Applications for both categories of special vote must be made by completing a VEC 1 form and submitted it by hand to the local IEC office in the municipality responsible for the voting district where the special vote is to be cast.
The form is available on www.elections.org.za or at local IEC offices. The forms will not be accepted at national or provincial offices and cannot be faxed, e-mailed or posted. Applicants may use a proxy to deliver their VEC 1 form, but must have signed the form themselves.
Voters will be informed of the outcome of their applications via SMS or e-mail and can also check their status on the IEC website.
A list of local IEC offices addresses is also available on the IEC website, or voters can call 0800 118 000.
Source: SAnews.gov.za
