A DURBAN North resident is eager to place an X on her voting ballot in May, all in the comfort of her home.

Connie Smith qualified for a special vote to partake in the country’s seventh national election after she had a stroke in 2006 which has made it difficult for her to walk and stand for long periods of time. She was advised by her ward councillor, Nicole Bollman, who assisted her with applying for a special vote.

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“This will be the second time I am voting at home. My first experience was extremely pleasant, and everything was done discreetly and professionally,” she said.

She said officials came to her home the day before election day after contacting her to find out her availability. A time slot was given to her so all she had to do was wait patiently for officials to arrive.

“When they arrived, the ballot forms were opened and handed over to me. Nothing had been tampered with. They also don’t engage in casual chitchat, which I am sure is protocol, but were still warm in their approach. I voted, handed them back the ballot forms and that was it,” she said.

The 73-year-old said she hopes the upcoming democratic election brings about change in terms of a lower crime rate, service delivery, job creation and the economy.

“It’s important for everyone to vote, not only for ourselves but for the future generations. Many of us probably won’t see the positive effects of our vote, but our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren may,” said Smith.

Looking back on her first voting experience in 1994, Smith said she was happy that the process has become much easier over the years. She said she visited in Durban North at Beachwood School if she recalls correctly.

“Back then, I was fit and could stand in the queues, but today, I am thankful for technology and for the people who implemented special votes so I don’t have to experience difficulty or miss out on exercising my democratic right,” added Smith.

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has detailed how the electorate can apply for special votes.

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 if 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.

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

How to apply

To begin the online application for a special vote, visit the IEC website on 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.

You can also apply by SMSing your identity number to 32249 at the cost of R1.00 per SMS. This applies to special votes at a voting station only.

You can also visit your local IEC office (not the national or provincial offices) and submit an MEC 35 form. Forms can only be hand-delivered (no emails or faxes accepted), but someone else can deliver your completed form on your behalf.

Source: Independent Electoral Commission website

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