Africa-Press – Namibia. APPLICANTS for birth certificates or Identity Documents (IDs) who did not receive proof of application are encouraged to visit their nearest registration office to obtain it.
This was emphasised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security’s Executive Director, Etienne Maritz.
“The Ministry has a standard practice of issuing an acknowledgment receipt for every application that is submitted. This practice has not changed. The Ministry is, therefore, urging those who allege to have applied and were not given such proof to visit the registration office to obtain the proof in the unlikely event that the acknowledgment receipts are still not issued,” he said.
Maritz’s remarks follow a media release from NamRights alleging inconsistencies with the issuance of Namibian citizenship identity cards by officials at Oshakati. Complaints include delays in document issuance, lack of proof of application, and voter disenfranchisement.
Addressing the delays, Maritz explained that the issuance of national documents adheres to Article 4 of the Namibian Constitution, the Births, Marriages and Deaths Registration Act of 1963, the Namibian Citizenship Act of 1990, and the Identification Act of 1997.
“Each application has its particular facts and is considered on its own merit. The length of time required to resolve cases of late birth registration depends on the proof presented to meet the legislative and administrative requirements. At times, investigations are required to ascertain whether the applicant is indeed entitled to be registered as a Namibian citizen. This is especially true for late birth registration,” he said.
Regarding disenfranchisement claims, Maritz pointed out that Article 17(2) of the Namibian Constitution guarantees the right to vote for all citizens over 18. Additionally, Section 26 of the Electoral Act of 2014 outlines further voter registration requirements.
“The Ministry cannot comment on the allegations of (voter) disenfranchisement because the requirement complained of is not related to obtaining national documents (which is the function of the Ministry) but to the registration of voters (which is the mandate of the Electoral Commission of Namibia),” Maritz said.
The Executive Director also reminded those needing to apply for birth certificates or IDs that the Mass Registration Campaign will run until 30 July 2024.
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