Remember applications for special votes n this year’s National and Provincial Elections close today, Friday May 3 at 17:00.

Who can apply for a special vote?
* Voters unable to travel to their registered voting stations because they are physically infirm or disabled. Officials of the Independent Electoral Commission will then visit you at home or your place of residence to cast your vote before election day if your application for a special vote is approved. These applications close on May 3.
* Registered voters who cannot vote at their registered voting stations on election day. These applications for special votes at voting stations also close on May 3.
* The Electoral Commission re-emphasised the general principle of election administration that voters must vote where they are registered. However, in the event a voter intends to be in a different voting district on voting day, such a voter must notify the commission of their intended absence from their voting district and must identify the voting station where they wish to cast the vote. This is known as Section 24A notices, available on www.elections.org.za. Notifications in this regard will close on May 17.

Conducting special votes
Special voting will be conducted on the two days preceding Election Day, on May 27 & 28 , from 09:00-17:00.
Take note that special votes for those who intend to vote outside the country at the diplomatic mission of registration will happen on May 17 & 18 . These applications closed on April 22.

Voters can apply for special votes as follows:
*Using the IEC’s secured online application at www.elections.org.za
* By SMSing your identity number to 32249 (R1.00 per SMS) for voting station visits only.
* By visiting your local IEC office and submitting an Appendix 1B form for a voting station special vote.
* By visiting your local IEC office and submitting an Appendix 1A form for a home visit special vote. Forms must be hand-delivered. Someone else can also deliver a form on behalf of a voter.

Check special vote application status
Visit the IEC’s website. On the home page, click the ‘I want to’ tab and then click ‘Check the status of special vote application’. From there, you will be directed to the special vote status check. You will need to select the election you’re applying for and enter your ID number. You will then be redirected to a page that will display the status of your special vote application. You can also call the IEC call centre on 0800 11 8000 and follow the prompts to get information about your special vote application status.

Check your registration status
SMS your ID number to 32810 (R1 per SMS) or go to www.elections.org.za and click on check my registration status
What is different in this year’s general election
* You vote where you are registered
* Three ballot papers (National, Provincial and Regional) vs the usual two ballot papers
* Independent candidates are allowed to contest.