Question NW4210 to the Minister of Home Affairs
21 December 2023 - NW4210
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether his department plays a role in the Independent Electoral Commission’s online application process for a special vote abroad; if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons that the process does not require applicants to provide their current physical addresses?
Reply:
The Department of Home Affairs plays no role in the online application process beyond confirming the citizenship status of the supplied identity number. The duty to register voters, compile and maintain a voters’ roll is in terms of section 5 (e) of the Electoral Commission Act 51 of 1996 read with section 5 of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998 within the sole remit of the Electoral Commission.
Voters who register to be included in an international segment of the voters’ roll are not required to provide their physical addresses because they are registered against a South African mission and the mission constitutes a component of the international segment of the voters’ roll for purposes of elections of the National Assembly.
END