The issue of identity documents is a cause of concern for election authorities in the Western Cape, with a large number of prisoners eligible to vote lacking them, and thousands of documents remaining uncollected at the home affairs department.
Said Western Cape provincial electoral officer Courtney Sampson on Wednesday: ”The Independent Electoral Commission [IEC] wants to encourage people who have applied for new IDs to collect them … at least 10 000 have not been collected from home affairs in this province.”
Addressing a media briefing, Sampson called on people to collect these identity documents, saying if individuals do not have the new barcoded document they cannot vote.
Turning to prisoners, Sampson said the IEC on Wednesday started registering inmates in the 46 prisons in the region. This was coupled to a voter education initiative.
”Those who are not allowed to vote are prisoners sentenced without an option of a fine.
”All other categories will be allowed to vote. About 9 000 inmates are eligible, but we have a slight problem with many not having IDs,” he said, speculating that it seems as if prisoners are deliberately leaving them at home in order not to be linked to other crimes.
Sampson outlined the state of preparedness for the Western Cape, saying besides registering inmates, the IEC will also embark on a door-to-door registration drive in the city metropole from January 16 to 18.
”Registration teams will be visiting homes across the metro to register occupants not yet on the voters roll,” he said.
Sampson said this has been made possible by a R2,5-million allocation to the IEC by the City of Cape Town.
He said the third aspect of the initiative to register voters for this year’s general elections will take place on January 24 and 25, when 1 347 registration stations across the province will open to allow voters an opportunity to check their details on the voters roll and make the necessary changes if they have moved.
”It is also possible to register daily,” he said.
This can be done at the IEC’s municipal electoral offices across the province and in the metro area. The infirm and bedridden can also apply to their municipal electoral offices to be visited.
Eligible voters can check details on the web, send their ID number via SMS or call a toll-free number.
A pamphlet drop will also take place to state specifically where voters should register.
”The important focus for the IEC now is to create as many facilities as possible [for people] to register,” said Sampson, urging the public to make use of them.
He said, for example, that if President Thabo Mbeki formally announced this year’s election date before registration on January 24, then the voter’s roll will be closed and those not registered will not be allowed to vote.
”This is the last chance to register. People must make use of it,” he said. — Sapa