Special votes
Age alone is not a qualifying factor for special voting
WHILE certain criteria can qualify people to cast a special vote ahead of the 29 May elections, age alone is not one of them.
This is according to the IEC in King Cetshwayo District following the viral circulation of messages in recent days, saying people over the age of 60 are given automatic permission to vote on 27 and 28 May at the polling station where they are registered.
Although these two days have been set down for special voters, with applications open until this Friday, the process is not only open to senior citizens.
And special voting must be applied for in advance.
“You need to apply to be able to vote on 27 and 28 May. It is not only for voters over 60,” said IEC regional manager Stella Dlamini.
She said people who can apply include voters who will not be present on election day or who will be on duty as a member of the security services during the election, or those serving as an officer in the elections.
“There is also a category of home visits that affects voters who are physically infirm and cannot travel to the voting stations,” said Dlamini.
How to apply for a special vote at your voting station
If you can’t vote at your voting station on election day, you can apply to cast a special vote at your polling station on the predetermined date only, as per the election timetable, in one of the following ways:
• Using the IEC's secured online application form
• By SMSing your identity number to 32249 (R1 per SMS). This is for special vote at a voting station only
• By visiting your local IEC office (not the national or provincial offices)
Make an appointment at your local IEC office
• If you can’t apply for a special vote online, you can do it in person at your local IEC office. If you want to apply for a special vote at your home, you can send a relative or spouse to apply on your behalf
• You first need to make an appointment and can do that only by calling your local IEC office
• After you have made an appointment, you can visit your local IEC office during operating hours