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In preparation for the inmates’ voter registration scheduled for 30 January to 1 February 2024, the Electoral Commission (IEC), working together with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), are reaching out to the families of inmates to deliver Identity Documents (ID) to correctional centres. 

Acknowledging that a number of offenders do not keep ID documents in their possession, family members are thus requested to make necessary arrangements by delivering any of the following forms of identification; green-barcoded ID, Smartcard ID or temporary identification certificate (TIC) to correctional facilities.

The Commission has been informed that due to the transfer factor for inmates, Correctional Centres will also be accepting IDs for inmates serving sentences in distant towns or provinces. These identity documents will be transferred to the relevant facilities where inmates are incarcerated. The Department of Correctional Services has indicated that it will put all necessary measures in place to ensure that IDs are kept safe.

The South African Constitution states that every eligible adult citizen has the right to  vote. Placement in a correctional facility does not abrogate this right which has been  exercised by inmates without exception since the general elections in 1999. However, a green-barcode ID, a smart card ID, or TIC is a necessity for one to register as a voter.

Eligible inmates will be permitted to apply for voter registration against the voting district in which their home address falls. The Electoral Commission urges all eligible inmates to participate in the upcoming 2024 National and Provincial elections by updating their voter registration details or register as voters.

Issued by Independent Electoral Commission