Special votes get underway in Zululand

APPLICATIONS from Zululanders for special votes started streaming into the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) offices across the region this week.

Voters who fall within three categories can apply for special votes at their local municipal electoral offices between 8am and 5pm until 17 April.

These include the physically infirm, disabled, or pregnant, as well as registered voters unable to vote in his/her voting district on voting day.

Special votes also apply to registered voters who will serve as election officers or are on duty as a member of the security services on election day.

uThungulu IEC Regional Supervisor Thule Dlamini told the Zululand Observer they had received 244 applications for special votes since Monday.

‘The highest number of special vote applications was received from Nkandla, with 186 applications already processed and approved.

The majority of these applicants were the elderly and frail citizens. There were 27 applications from uMlalazi, 20 from uMhlathuze, Mthonjaneni (7), uMfolozi (2) and Ntambanana (2),’ said Dlamini.

Forms

Application forms (VEC 1) can be downloaded from the IEC website or can be collected at the local municipal electoral offices.

‘Those who are unable to collect application forms at the offices, can request a member of their household or community worker to collect on their behalf. They then complete, sign and return the forms to municipal offices. Every voter will receive a sms to confirm whether their special votes application has been approved or not,’ Dlamini said.

Special votes will be administered two days before the election on 5 and 6 May, either through home visits or at voting stations.

With less than 30 days to go before election day, Dlamini said they were at the final stretch with preparations as training had begun this week for voting station staff, focusing on counting and results. All training and distribution of electoral material will be concluded by 25 April.

Applications for overseas voting closed on Monday with overseas voting set for 30 April at a South African embassy, high commission or consulate abroad.

For more information, visit www.elections.org.za or call 0800 11 8000.