MAHIKENG – Linah Miga, the Deputy Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, has called on voters in the province to collect their identity documents (IDs) from various Department of Home Affairs offices in preparation for the upcoming voter registration weekend on November 18 and 19, 2023. This appeal is part of an effort to boost voter participation in the North West province, following concerns over low turnout in past elections. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the recently established North West Provincial Home Affairs Stakeholder Forum, which aims to enhance collaboration on services related to the Department of Home Affairs.

According to South African Government News Agency, the forum’s discussions revealed that thousands of ID smart cards remain uncollected at the department’s district offices. A provincial report indicates that as of November 6, 2023, there are 26,863 uncollected smart IDs across 15 district offices, along with 684 green ID books. Emphasizing the importance of voter participation, Miga encouraged all community members to visit their local Home Affairs offices to collect their smart IDs, especially in light of the upcoming general elections in 2024.

The voter registration for these elections is scheduled for November 18 and 19, 2023, at various stations across the country, including those in the North West province. The Provincial Home Affairs Stakeholders Forum is actively encouraging community members to visit their voting stations between 7:00 and 17:00 on both Saturday and Sunday of the registration weekend. Miga highlighted the significance of voting as a fundamental right, urging the citizens of the North West province to register in large numbers.

This initiative represents a concerted effort by the North West Provincial Legislature and the Department of Home Affairs to ensure greater participation in the democratic process and to facilitate the exercise of voting rights among the citizens of the province.