South Africans, who wish to apply for special votes for the upcoming general election, have until 5pm on Thursday, 17 April, to do so.

A special vote allows a registered voter, who can't vote at their voting station on Election Day (7 May) , to apply to vote on 5 and 6 May.

All registered voters – including the elderly, people with disabilities and those who cannot be at their voting district on Election Day, can apply for a special vote.

There are two categories of special votes – home visits and special voting at your registered voting station. Election officials will visit voters who have successfully applied for a home visit due to physical infirmity, disability or pregnancy.

Acting Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) CEO, Harold Maloka, on Wednesday said: “Government encourages the elderly and people with disabilities to submit their applications for special votes by the 17th of April.

“All registered South African voters are urged to exercise their democratic right to vote on the prescribed days. As we enter our 20 Years of Freedom, let us go out in numbers to the polls to demonstrate our appreciation of the gains brought about by our freedom.”

Citizens applying to cast special votes can determine the status of their applications by sending an SMS to 32711 (R1.00 per SMS sent or received) or check online by entering the ID number on the IEC website