Want to skip the queues on election day? You can apply for a special vote

Lester Kiewit speaks to Michael Hendrickse, the head of the IEC in the Western Cape, about how special votes will work ahead of the May 29 elections.

Applications are now open for those South Africans wishing to make use of the 'special vote' system.

A special vote is a provision made by electoral authorities to allow citizens to cast their votes under special circumstances.

This might include being unable to vote at a designated voting station on Election Day due to reasons such as illness, disability, or being away from home.

There are a few weeks left until the country goes to the polls for the national elections on 29 May and applications for a special vote close on 3 May.

Michael Hendrickse is head of the IEC  in the Western Cape and explains that there are two types of special vote.

The first is where you apply for a special vote at the voting station where you are registered, to cast your vote on the 27 or 28 May.

Hendrickse says this option is open to all eligible voters.

"If you, for whatever reason, are unable to vote at your voting station on the 29th, you can apply to vote at your voting station [and vote on the 27th and 28th May]. Whether you're travelling, whether it's work, whether you just want to avoid a queue, it doesn't matter to us."

Michael Hendrickse, Head of the IEC  -  Western Cape

"The important thing is, you need to apply by the 3rd of May via the website www.elections.org.za, you can go to a local IEC office or you can even send an SMS to 32249."

Michael Hendrickse, Head of the IEC  -  Western Cape

"There's no exceptional circumstances needed for you to apply for a special vote at you voting station."

Michael Hendrickse, Head of the IEC  -  Western Cape

The second type of special vote is limited only to those who, for reasons of ill-health, disability or pregnancy would find it difficult to cast their vote at the polling station.

"[If] you can't get to your voting station, in that case we will come to you residence, but that is limited to only those catergory of persons, and those persons also have to apply by the 3rd of May."

Michael Hendrickse, Head of the IEC  -  Western Cape

Hendrickse says while it's not necessary to provide proof of your incapacity, there are penalties for those who abuse the system.

"What will happen is that if we arrive at your home and we find you on the stoep with your Hooka pipe, you can be charged criminally, because you lied on an official form and said you were incapacitated."

Michael Hendrickse, Head of the IEC  -  Western Cape