NELSPRUIT – Potential voters with valid reasons for being unable to cast their votes on May 7, where they are registered, can vote beforehand. According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), they can cast their votes on May 5 and 6.
People can apply if they can’t travel to their voting station because they are physically infirm, disabled or pregnant, or can’t vote at their voting station on election day because they will be travelling for work or on recreation.
To apply, submit a VEC1 form to your nearest municipal IEC office. These may not be faxed or emailed, but must be submitted in person. However, they may be delivered on one’s behalf by someone else.
Mr Werner le Grange, DA parliamentary candidate, suggests that the completed forms can also be given to one’s ward councillor, who can submit it on one’s behalf. Forms are also obtainable the ward councillors, the municipal IEC offices or the IEC’s website.
If their application is successful, people can vote at their voting stations on the stipulated days. In cases where the voter cannot travel due to physical infirmity, disability or pregnancy, voting officials will visit them at their homes to enable them to vote.
Voters will still mark their ballots in secret, and seal them ballots in unmarked envelopes which are in turn placed in envelopes marked with one’s name, ID number and voting district number to ensure the vote is counted in the correct district. These are discarded before counting to ensure the secrecy of the ballots cast .
To check your voter registration status, SMS your ID number to 32810 or visit www.elections.org.za/
