Due to the high volume of online applications, the Electoral
Commission has decided to extend the online applications for special votes to
midnight, 3 May 2024. The Commission's online portal has received a large
number of applications for special votes. Throughout the day, the portal
received over 17 000 applications per minute. 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 5pm to 12 midnight.
The Commission 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 use the
remaining hours to submit their application before the deadline.
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 second category of special votes is 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. Special votes are available to all voters,
but only upon application by the deadline date of 3 May.
Persons who intend to vote by special vote are reminded that they
can still apply as follows until midnight:
- By sending the identity number of the voter by SMS
to 32249 (R1.00 per SMS) for voting station visits only.
In terms of the election timetable, both categories of special
votes will be conducted on 27 and 28 May, from 9am to 5pm.
It’s your democracy, own it!
ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Ensuring free, fair and credible elections
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