Home Affairs offices across South Africa will extend their operating hours next week to help voters collect identity documents before the Local Government Elections.

The department announced that all front offices will operate from 08:00 to 18:00 from 2 November to 4 November to ensure eligible voters can collect their IDs or apply for temporary identity certificates.

On election day itself, 4 November, Home Affairs offices will open from 07:00 to 21:00, matching the Electoral Commission’s polling station hours.

“The extended hours will enable eligible voters to collect their identity documents or apply for identity documents and temporary identity certificates,” the department said.

The move aims to give voters who have already applied for documents extra time to collect them, while those without any identification can still obtain temporary certificates to vote.

Citizens who applied for identity documents can now pick them up during the extended hours and cast their ballots on election day.

Home Affairs has asked stakeholder forums, community structures and community leaders to work with their communities and encourage eligible voters to collect their identity documents or get temporary documentation before election day.

The department reminded South Africans that only three types of documents allow them to vote: a smart ID card, a green barcoded ID book or a valid temporary identity certificate.

Voters cannot use driver’s licences, passports, student cards or photocopies of ID documents at polling stations.

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