Elections 2024: Special voting days at hand

Of the more than 320 000 people registered for special votes in the province, around 23 000 applications were received in King Cetshwayo District.

While thousands of South Africans living abroad cast their votes this past week, all eyes are now on registered voters in the country who will mark their ballots from next Monday.

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This as the IEC conducts home visits and opens voting stations for the special voting process on 27 and 28 May – two days before the official election day.
According to the IEC in King Cetshwayo, 23 633 people applied for special votes locally, with uMhlathuze leading the pack with 9 226 applications.

The city is followed by uMlalazi at 5 013, uMfolozi at 3 986, and Nkandla at 3 333, while Mthonjaneni has 2 075.

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Briefing the media this past week, IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo said special voting operations will be from 9am to 5pm.

“Our staff are prepared and will be at all voting stations and visiting the homes of those unable to visit the voting stations to ensure all those who have been granted special votes have a smooth voting experience,” he said.

The electoral commission said it is rapidly approaching the ‘final and most critical’ stages of the elections timetable.

“Lease agreements for 23 303 permanent voting stations have been signed and concluded.

“Of these, 62% are schools, 9.7% are places of worship, and the balance of 28% includes all other categories such as community halls and other municipal facilities,” said Mamabolo.

Next on the election timetable:

• The commission will launch the National Results Centre (ROC) on Wednesday, 22 May.

• A record 160 organisations with 5 000 observers domestically and from around the world will be observing the general elections. The international observers will be briefed by the IEC on 26 May.

• IEC staff will conduct home visits and open some voting stations on 27 and 28 May for those who applied to cast special votes.

• Election day is Wednesday, 29 May.

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