Witbooi urges Hardap councillors to address voter ID issues

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Lucia Witbooi, visited Mariental to discuss mass voter registration and how the lack of identification cards among residents hinders the election process.

Witbooi said out of more than 94 000 identification cards printed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, an alarming 40 000 remain uncollected.

“Uncollected identification cards are a big concern. I ask local councillors to work closely with your communities to encourage them to collect their identification cards,” Witbooi said.

The deputy minister stressed the importance of collaboration between the regional Home Affairs offices and local councillors. Witbooi suggested that councillor offices should receive the uncollected identification cards of their constituents, especially during this critical period of election card registration.

Witbooi said identification cards that remain uncollected should be returned to the ministry.

The deputy minister also cautioned about the inherent risks of handling personal identification information.

“To give someone personal information, even to constituency leaders, is risky because it’s someone’s personal information and it can be exploited for political gain,” she warned. Witbooi urged local leaders to handle these documents with the utmost care and integrity.
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he also took the opportunity to emphasise the broader responsibility of local leaders in motivating their communities.

“It’s essential for everyone to take care of their identification documents,” Witbooi stated.

(NAMPA)
CB/AS/HP
(NAMPA)