ELECTIONS 2024: All you need to know about special votes

With the 7th democratic general elections 2 months away, here’s everything you need to know about this year’s special votes:

The Electoral Commission in the Western held a workshop in Cape Town on Wednesday, with media houses and various organisations such as NGOs and religious bodies in attendance.

elections IEC — More info ahead of the Elections. Image by Lizell Persens

This was held in the lead-up to the upcoming elections, as several changes in legislation have been implemented.

As this year marks 30 years since the dawn of democracy, President Cyril Ramaphosa recently proclaimed that South Africans will be heading to the polls on Wednesday, 29 May 2024 – a day declared a public holiday. The proclamation on the election date has been published in the Government Gazette on Friday, 23 February 2024.

SPECIAL VOTES AT VOTING STATION

A voter, who for whatever reason (any type of work, travel, study, SAPS, IEC official, etc.) cannot cast their vote on Election Day is eligible to apply.

WHEN TO APPLY?

You must apply between 15 April and 3 May 2024, as set out in the election timetable

This can be done in a number of ways:

SMS 32249
Online at elections.org.za
At your local IEC office during office hours

The applicant will then receive an SMS once the application is proceeded.

Special voting will then take place on 27 & 28 May (prior to the day of elections) and you will be required to vote at the voting station where you are registered.

HOME VISIT SPECIAL VOTES

This applies to those who are unable to get to their voting station as a result of ill-health, physical disability or pregnancy.

An application will need to be submitted in writing in the following ways

Online at elections.org.za
Deliver or have your application form delivered to your local IEC office

WHEN TO APPLY?

You must apply between 15 April and 3 May 2024.

The days of voting will take place on 27 & 28 May (09h00 – 17h00)

The place of voting will be the address you have indicated on your application.

The IEC has stressed that it is a criminal offence to lie about your infirmity or ill health or to apply for a home visit special vote without the consent of the voter

SPECIAL VOTES OVERSEAS VOTING

This applies to a voter who is a resident outside of RSA and is registered on a special overseas segment of the voters’ roll. Based on his/her address, it will indicate to the voter the SA mission that he/she must go to vote.

There is, however, no special vote application process for voters registered overseas, and he/she must simply go to the SA Mission situated in the country they are residing in and vote there.

If you are a voter who is registered in the voting district in SA, and you will be out of the country for whatever reason, on Election Day, you may apply for a special vote to vote at a SA mission abroad.

You will need to submit a notification in writing:

Online at elections.org.za
Deliver or have a notification form delivered at your IEC local office

WHEN TO APPLY?

Between 26 February, and by no later than 22 April 2024 (as per the election timetable)

You will then receive an SMS from the IEC

Your voting dates will then be 17 & 18 May 2024

Where to vote: at the SA Mission of the country you registered against or indicated in your notification

You will be required to present your SA ID and your SA passport when voting

Voters voting at SA Missions abroad will only receive one ballot – the National PR ballot.