APPLICATIONS for voters to cast special votes in the 2016 Municipal Elections opened on Friday, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said.

“Special votes are available all registered voters including the disabled, infirm and pregnant voters as well as members of the security forces, election officials, the media and any other voters who are unable to visit their voting station on election day, 3 August,” said IEC spokesman, Kate Bapela.

There are two forms of special votes, one for home visits and another for special voting at your voting station.
Special votes may only be cast by voters who have applied for and received approval from the Electoral Commission to cast a special vote.  Applications opened on Friday, 10 June and close at 5pm on Friday, 8 July.

For the first time applications for special votes will be available online via the Electoral Commission’s website and via cellphone by SMSing the voter’s ID number to 32249 (SMS charged at R1).

“The SMS application facility is only available for those applying to cast a special vote at their voting station and not for home visits,” she said.

For more information visit www.elections.org.za.