STATEMENT ON A SPECIAL CABINET MEETING

Issued by: Government Communication and Information System

Cabinet met in special session on 7 and 8 March to deliberate on the judgement of the Constitutional Court that prisoners should be allowed to vote in the coming elections.

The meeting accepted the judgement of the Court that:

• persons who were prisoners during the registration periods and who arenot precluded from voting by provisions of the Electoral Act areentitled to register; and
• persons who are prisoners on the date of the general election and who are not excluded by the provisions of the Act are entitled to vote if they have registered.

While remaining committed to the principle behind its decision in February that there should be limitations on this right as it applies to certain categories of prisoners, Cabinet took into account the stringent demands of the Constitution on this matter.

It therefore resolved that the issue needs to be handled by political parties within the context of future legislative and constitutional debate.

The Independent Electoral Commission and relevant government departments will strive to put in place requisite logistical arrangements, in accordance with the ruling of the Constitutional Court.

8 March 1999

For further information contact:

Minister Dullah Omar

012-323-7830

Joel Netshitenzhe

082-900-0083