Aged and disabled South Africans can apply to vote next week

Applications for special votes during the up-coming local government elections will open next week‚ the Independent Electoral Commission said on Monday.

Registered voters who are unable to vote at their voting station on election day and registered voters who cannot travel to their voting station on election day due to being physically infirm or disabled can apply from June 10‚ ahead of the August 3 elections. This includes journalists who are registered for the elections and would not be able to vote in their respective stations.

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Registered voters may only apply for a special vote in the voting district where they are registered and the same applies for home visits.

If you have access to the internet‚ you can apply online otherwise you have to apply in person at your local IEC office by completing a MEC35 form.

If you are physically infirm or disabled‚ someone can hand deliver the form on your behalf at your local IEC office.

Voters who want to cast a special vote at their voting station can also SMS their ID number to 32249 — this service is not available to voters applying for a home visit‚ because you have to provide your address.

Voters will receive an SMS notifying them of the outcome once their application has been processed‚ but they can also check the status of their special vote application online at www.elections.org.za

The closing date for special votes is 5pm on July 8.

IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela said special voting at voting stations and home visits by IEC officials will take place on August 1 and 2.

“You need your ID number to do the application. On the day of special voting‚ you need your green‚ barcoded ID book‚ or your smartcard ID‚ or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate‚” Bapela said.

On the day of voting‚ the casting of ballots will take place at the voting stations and home visits from 08:00 to 17:00 on both days.