ELECTION NEWS - South Africans eligible to vote but who do not yet have a valid identity document are being urged to apply to the Department of Home Affairs without delay ahead of the Local Government Elections in November.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber says a valid ID is essential for democratic participation and that access to identity-document services has been significantly expanded.

“A valid ID holds the key to democratic participation in the upcoming elections. Home Affairs has dramatically expanded access to this critical service by rolling out digitalised Smart ID services at over 450 bank branches in just five months,” Schreiber said.

“I call upon South Africans to make use of our vastly improved services to apply for – and collect – their IDs without delay.”

More than 450 bank branches offering Smart ID services

The department is also urging people who have already applied for an ID but have not yet collected it to do so as soon as possible.

Citizens who need to replace a lost or damaged identity document can apply at Home Affairs offices or make use of the more than 450 participating bank branches offering Smart ID services.

The department warned citizens not to leave their applications until the last minute.

To find the nearest participating bank branch, visit myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za.

Encourage family and friends to apply

Home Affairs is also calling on citizens who already have valid identity documents to encourage family members, friends and colleagues who do not yet have Smart IDs to apply and collect their documents ahead of the elections.

With the November elections approaching, the department is encouraging eligible voters to ensure their identity documents are in order now rather than risk delays closer to election day.

— SAnews.gov.za

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