Elections 2024: How can the aged and disabled vote?
The Electoral Commission has shared details about how the aged and disabled can vote in 2024 through special dispensation.
We’ve got good news about how the aged and disabled can vote in 2024. The Electoral Commission of South Africa understands that the elderly, disabled and those with special needs may struggle to cast their vote in the 29 May 2024 General Election.
So the aged and disabled can vote in 2024 without issue, special votes can be arranged two days before the election, reports GroundUp. Moreover, the IEC offers home-visit voting, too. This must be applied for beforehand, between 15 April and 3 May. More details on this below …
HOW AGED AND DISABLED CAN VOTE IN 2024
Moreover, the IEC says it is working to help people with disabilities and special needs to vote. There is something called the Universal Ballot Template (UBT). This assists people with disabilities and special needs to vote in secret. The UBT is a template made of hard black plastic into which a ballot paper can be inserted.
When a ballot paper is inserted, each window aligns to the particular candidate or party. The concept behind the UBT is to assist people who are dyslexic, suffer from poor literacy, or those with motor deficiency that struggle with a steady hand.
OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE ALLOWED
Moreover, any person who requires assistance due to physical disability can be assisted by another person who is 18-years of age or older, and not an agent of any political party. At no stage in this process can an IEC official be present in the voting booth, unless they are asked for assistance.
The aged and disabled can vote in 2024 via a special vote on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 May, before the main election. However, it is the voter’s responsibility to apply for the special vote beforehand. If they live in a facility, they must make the necessary arrangements. For home/institution visits, applications can be done online by clicking HERE anytime between 15 April and 3 May. Otherwise, applications can be filed at an IEC office over the same time period.
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