In preparations for National General Elections, government wishes to remind all South African citizens that applications for special votes close on Thursday, 17 April 2014 at 17h00.

A special vote allows a registered voter, who can't vote at their voting station on Election Day, to apply to vote on the 5 and 6 May 2014. All registered voters which includes the elderly, people with disabilities and those for one reason or the other cannot be at their voting district on election day, can apply for a special vote.

Acting GCIS CEO, Harold Maloka, 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 (https://www.elections.org.za/content/For-Voters/Special-Vote-Application-Status/)