All you need to know about special votes
You will receive an SMS notifying you of the outcome once your application has been processed, but you can also check the status of your special vote application online.
Application to apply for a special vote will close on Friday 27 September.
Special votes will be casted on Tuesday, 8 October.
A special vote allows a registered voter who can not vote at their voting station on election day to apply to vote on a predetermined day before election day.
Even if you have to work on voting day, you can also apply for a special vote.
By law, special votes can only be cast on the dates specified in the election timetable and no exceptions can be made.
Do you qualify for a special vote?
You can apply if you:
Are a registered voter.
Have a valid South African identity document (green, barcoded ID book; smartcard ID, or a valid Temporary Identity Certificate).
How to check your voter registration status:
SMS your ID number to 32810; or
Call the IEC’s contact centre on 0800 11 800.
By law, you can apply for a special vote if you:
Can not travel to your voting station because you are physically unable, disabled, pregnant or can not vote at your voting station on election day.
How to apply for a special vote at your voting station?
If you can not vote at your voting station on election day, you can apply to cast a special vote at your voting station on the predetermined date only, as per the election timetable, in one of the following ways:
Follow the link to apply online.
By SMSing your identity number to 32249 (R1.00 per SMS). (For special vote at a voting station only.)
By visiting your local IEC office (not the national or provincial offices) and submitting a VEC 1 form.
Forms can only be hand-delivered (no emails or faxes accepted), but someone else can deliver your completed form on your behalf.
You will receive an SMS notifying you of the outcome once your application has been processed, but you can also check the status of your special vote application online.
