voter registration
17 February 2009
Voter registration in South Africa went smoothly thanks to the Independent
Electoral Commission (IEC), says Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home
Affairs. The Portfolio Committee expressed its thanks during the IEC's
presentation on voter registration activity on 7 and 8 February.
According to the Chief Electoral Officer of the IEC, Advocate Pansy Tlakula,
a record number of new registrations was reached this year with 1,5 million
people registering to vote for the first time.
Youth not apathetic
She said the myth that young people were apathetic had been debunked, as
they constituted a large percentage of new registrations nearly 55%. During the
meeting, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mr Patrick
Chauke, said the Committee wanted the IEC to probe reports that Inkatha Freedom
Party (IFP) members who had registered to vote had been deregistered by the
Commission.
Responding to allegations that the Commission had deliberately removed some
registered voters, Ms Tlakula said this was technically impossible because the
systems would not allow it. The IFP in Parliament said it nevertheless welcomed
the decision to investigate the matter.
Overseas voters
Advocate Tlakula also referred to the issue of whether people who resided
overseas would be able to vote. She said it was too early to pre-empt the court
cases, and that they would await the decision of the courts. The Committee
recognised with respect the rights of all South African citizens.
Lesotho border
The Department of Home Affairs also presented the agreement between the
government of South Africa and the government of the Kingdom of Lesotho on the
facilitation of cross-border movement of citizens of SA and Lesotho.
The agreement simplifies the mutual travel procedures of citizens of both
countries, to improve the immigration clearance of people who routinely cross
the common border.
The department felt it should ease matters, following recent congestion at
the border posts, and help in monitoring the movement of citizens.
Issued by: Parliament of South Africa
17 February 2009
Source: Parliament of South Africa (http://www.parliament.gov.za)
