The North West Provincial Legislature Deputy Speaker, Linah Miga, has encouraged voters across the province to collect their identity documents (IDs) at various offices of the Department of Home Affairs for voter registration weekend on 18 and 19 November 2023.
This follows the establishment of the North West Provincial Home Affairs Stakeholder Forum, which serves as a mechanism for ensuring collaborations in addressing services related to the Department of Home Affairs.
“Through engagements at this forum, it came to light that there are thousands of ID smart cards that have not been collected from the various district offices of the Department of Home Affairs,” said Miga.
Citing the provincial report on uncollected IDs in the North West, Miga said there are 26 863 smart IDs in 15 district offices, as well as 684 green ID books that are still yet to be collected as of 6 November 2023.
“Considering that a lower voter turnout was reported in the past elections, particularly in the North West, the legislature wishes to plead with all communities to visit the Home Affairs offices in their areas for collection of smart IDs.
“The call to action is made urgent by the fact that voter registration for the 2024 general elections is scheduled for 18 and 19 November 2023 in the various stations across the country including the province.
“It is, therefore, imperative for those who have not collected IDs to do so to embrace and honour their right to vote in the coming General Elections,” Miga said.
The Provincial Home Affairs Stakeholders Forum encourages communities to visit their voting stations from 7:00 and 17:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
“I further plead the citizens of the North West province to go in numbers and register to vote because it is your right.” – SAnews.gov.za
