IEC official assists a blind man to cast his vote. Picture by IEC.
Ailing South Africans and those with severe disabilities qualify to cast their votes from their own homes by applying for special votes.
Spokesperson for the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), Kate Bapela said online applications for special votes closes tonight at 23:59 whilst applications at the physical offices of the IEC closes at 5PM.
These special voters will be visited at their homes or place of confinement by officials from the IEC to cast their votes on May 27 and 28. But those who do not apply for the special votes will vote on the national election day, May 29.
Bapela said although there are two categories of applications for special votes, all voters qualify to apply for special votes. She said the first category is for people who are ill and cannot walk to the voting stations or have severe disabilities. The second category is those who do not wish to stand in long queues to vote.
She said, “The first [category] relates to home visits for registered voters who are infirm or have impaired mobility. Such voters may apply to be visited at home or a place of confinement.”
Special voters cast their votes at the comfort of their own home. Picture by IEC.
Bapela added, “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.”
“In the last hours before the application deadline, the Commission calls on registered voters who wish to vote by special vote to ensure that they submit applications, as no late applications will be accommodated. It’s your democracy, own it,” said Bapela in a press statement.