The IEC is urging family members of about 160 000 prisoners to deliver their ID documents to correctional facilities for voter registration to take place in 240 prisons from 22 to 23 January 2019.
According to Kate Bapela, the IEC spokesperson, the production of an official ID document – either a smart card ID, a barcoded ID book or a temporary ID certificate – is necessary to register as a voter.
‘Most offenders do not keep their ID documents with them and they are often kept at home by family members,’ explained chief electoral officer, Sy Mamabolo. ‘In the past, this has inhibited voter registration among inmates,’ he added.
Arthur Fraser, the national commissioner of Correctional Services, said facilities would be made available to keep the ID documents safe for voter registration and then return these to family members during their next visit.
‘Since 1999, the Electoral Commission has worked closely with the Department of Correctional Services to provide voter registration and voting opportunities for inmates in line with the Constitutional right extended to prisoners to vote. Inmates are registered to vote in the municipality in which they resided prior to incarceration,’ said Bapela.
Bapela says that there are on average approximately 160 000 offenders including remand detainees in South Africa’s 240 prisons.
