IEC (Duncan Alfreds, News24)
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has reminded voters that the deadline to apply for a special vote ends at midnight on Thursday.
IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela said South Africans who will be unable to cast their vote on May 8, need to apply for a special vote, which will take place on May 6 and 7.
Bapela said that there are two categories of special votes and that all registered voters will be approved by the Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo.
The first category of people that can apply for a special vote is voters who are physically unable to leave their houses. This includes severely pregnant women and people with disabilities.
IEC officials will come to their homes so that they may cast their votes on May 6 and 7.
READ: South Africans have 2 weeks to apply for special vote status
The second category of people who may be eligible for a special vote, are people who are unable to vote on May 8. These voters, if approved, will be able to vote at their local IEC voting stations on May 6 and 7.
Bapela has also urged all Muslims who are registered to vote to apply for a special vote due to the anticipated start of the holy month of Ramadan, which will clash with election day.
Additionally, the commission has agreed to extend voting hours at four foreign missions on April 27 to accommodate Jewish voters who will be celebrating the sabbath.
The four missions include London, Tel Aviv, Los Angeles and New York.
London and Tel Aviv voting stations will be open from 07:00 to 23:00, while Los Angeles and New York voting stations will be open from 07:00 to 23:30.
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