Home Affairs extends hours during voter registration weekend

The Department of Home Affairs is extending its operating hours for the voter registration weekend of 18 and 19 November 2023 to provide ID services and related support to eligible voters ahead of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

Operating hours will be aligned with those of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) over the two days, starting from 08:00 to 17:00, and the main service to be offered is ID collection and application.

Temporary Identification Certificates will be issued on the spot to those who have lost or misplaced their IDs. Eligible voters require IDs to register and to vote.

“We encourage all clients and eligible voters who have applied for IDs to visit their Home Affairs offices to collect their IDs over the Registration Weekend of 18-19 November 2023,” the Department of Home Affairs said in a statement.

To ease pressure on clients and easy queues, Home Affairs has introduced dedicated counters for collections in large offices that process Smart ID Cards and passports, where space allows.

In addition, clients can now book collection appointments before visiting offices using the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS) which is available on the website.

“Home Affairs allows clients who may not have an opportunity to book appointments to visit as ‘walk-ins’ and will be assisted to collect their IDs and passports, or to apply for Temporary Identification Certificates,” the department said.