Elections 2024: 3 things you may not know about the 2024 general elections

THIS year’s general elections coincide with 30 years of democracy in South Africa, and with just two months to go before citizens make their mark, we have compiled a list of three things you may not know about this year’s elections.

On Wednesday, May 29, more than 27.79 million voters – the highest since the dawn of democracy in South Africa – are eligible to cast their vote in the National and Provincial Elections.

The general elections day has also been declared a public holiday by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

1. Three ballots instead of two

The most important change in this year’s provincial and government elections is that registered voters, this time round, will receive three ballot papers to mark their X instead of the usual two ballots.

The three ballots are the result of the passing of the Electoral Amendment Act of 2023.

You will have THREE ballots to make your mark on, instead of two ballots received in the past national and provincial elections. #Elections2024 pic.twitter.com/ZWPuROBuzP

— The DoJ & CD (@DOJCD_ZA) April 3, 2024

The first ballot is for the election of the compensatory 200 members of the National Assembly, which is only contested by political parties on a closed-list basis.

According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), the second ballot will be for the regional elections of the 200 members of the National Assembly. This ballot will vary from region to region, depending on which parties and independent candidates contest the relevant regional election.

The third ballot, which is the provincial ballot, will be for electing the members of the provincial legislature in each of the nine provinces.

2. Voting outside your registered district

On Wednesday, May 29, you can vote outside your registered district but only if you’ve notified the IEC.

Voters are reminded that they may only vote at a voting station in which they are registered.

Voters who will unavoidably be away from their voting districts on Election Day must give notice of their intention to vote at another identified voting station by May 17.

You can inform the IEC by visiting www.elections.org.za/pw/section-24a/about-section-24a.

Heard about Section 24A (S24A) votes?

On 29 May, you can vote outside your registered district but ONLY if you've notified the IEC between 15 March and 17 May 2024. Don't miss your chance to make your voice count! 🗳️📆 Please share! #ElectionNotice #SAelections24 pic.twitter.com/CtNt4ezRcR

— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) March 13, 2024

3. Closing date for special votes is May 3

A special vote allows a registered voter who can’t vote at their voting station on Election Day to apply to vote on a predetermined day before Election Day.

To qualify for a special vote, you must be unable to visit your local voting station on voting day because you are pregnant, infirm or have another disability that prevents you from visiting a voting station on Election Day.

You may also be eligible for a special vote for other reasons, such as work.

Special votes can either be cast at home (where IEC officials visit you at your residence) or at a voting station.

According to the IEC, special votes and home visits for this year’s general elections will take place on May 27 and 28. The closing date to apply for special votes is May 3.

To begin the online application for a special vote, visit the IEC website at https://www.elections.org.za/. Then navigate to the ‘Voters’ tab, and under the tab, click on ‘Apply for a special vote’ in the middle column.

Did you know?

To check your voter registration status, you can either SMS your ID number to 32810 (R1 per SMS) or visit www.elections.org.za/pw/Voter/Voter-Information and enter your ID number.

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