The Department of Home Affairs is to extend its operational hours with a view to the upcoming national general elections.
According to a recent media statement, the propose of the extended hours is allow eligible voters to collect the identity documents (IDs) they have applied for, or to apply for IDs or Temporary Identity Certificates. During the three days of voting, being 6 to 8 May, front offices will provide extended operational hours for identification services by aligning their opening and closing hours to those of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
On 6 and 7 May, offices will be open from 8am to 7am to cater for people seeking access to services on these two special voting days. Home Affairs front offices will also provide public services on Election Day, 8 May, from 7am to 21pm when IEC voting stations close.
It was also stated that by the end of March this year, the Department had recorded a total of 355 257 uncollected smart ID cards and 3 620 uncollected green ID books. The total of all uncollected identity documents stood at 358 877 comprising uncollected smart ID cards and green ID books. Gauteng has the highest number of uncollected smart ID cards, at 101 787, followed by KwaZulu-Natal (with 55 634 uncollected smart cards) and Eastern Cape (46 504). Northern Cape has the lowest, with only 12 255. The Department therefore appeals to citizens to collect their smart ID cards or green ID books, or to apply for Temporary Identity Certificates so that they may exercise their democratic right to vote. It requests stakeholder forums, as well as community structures and leaders, to work closely with communities by urging people to collect their documents. Ahead of the elections, the Department expressed gratitude to all officials who will be on duty in support of the elections.
