Johannesburg – Due to the high volume of online applications, the Electoral Commission (IEC) announced that it has extended the online applications for special votes to midnight, (3 May 2024).
The IEC said its online portal received a large number of applications for special votes.
“Throughout the day, the portal received over 17 000 applications per minute,” the IEC said.
“As of this hour, the total number of applications received stands at 1 467 242.
“Following the consultation and recommendation from the National Political Party Liaison Committee, the Commission has extended the deadline from 5 pm to 12 midnight.”
The IEC said it has considered and determined that the extension of the deadline will not impact on preparations for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.
“The Commission wishes to encourage voters to use the remaining hours to submit their application before the deadline,” said the IEC in a statement earlier Friday.
“The Commission reminds South Africans that there are two categories of special votes affected by this deadline.
“The first category relates to home visits for those registered voters who are infirm or have impaired mobility.
“Such voters may apply to be visited at home or a place of confinement.”
The IEC said the second category of special votes was available to any registered voter who wishes to vote early at their voting station.
“The Commission reiterates that there is no automatic age-based qualification for a special vote,” said the IEC.
“Special votes are available to all voters, but only upon application by the deadline date of 3 May.”
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The IEC said persons who intend to vote by special vote must first apply or cause an application to be submitted on their behalf as follows:
- Using the secured online application form found at http://www.elections.org.za
- By sending the identity number of the voter by SMS to 32249 (R1.00 per SMS) for voting station visits only.
- By submitting an Appendix 1B form at the local office of the IEC for a voting station special vote.
- By submitting an Appendix 1A form at the local office of the IEC for a home visit special vote.
“In terms of the election timetable, both categories of special votes will be conducted on 27 and 28 May, from 9 am to 5 pm,” said the IEC.
