Collect your Omang Card; the right thing to do

Mmegi Editor | Wednesday March 26, 2014 12:57

This identity card is an access key to the polling stations. Without it one would be disenfranchised. It is with this in mind that we appeal to potential voters to ensure that their cards are collected and kept safe. It is their constitutional right to  vote and contribute to the development of this country.

The same applies to other people whose cards  have expired or will expire before the election year; please do the right thing, renew your cards. It would be very unfortunate to miss the opportunity to vote just because one does not have an identity card; it would even be more unreasonable if such a card exists but is not collected.

The issue of uncollected Omang cards remains a challenge not only to the government but also to the society at large.

Early this year, The Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs revealed that over 55,679 national identity cards (Omang) that are due for collection from the Civil and National Registration offices have not been collected throughout the country.

While some blame government for its inaccessible services for the public to collect their cards, the responsible department is also blaming the public for lack of responsibility on their part.

In recent years government has introduced electronic devices as a way of speeding up the process of issuing and collection of the cards. At one stage, the government vowed to introduce bulk messaging as a way of notifying the public on the readiness of their cards but it seems the programme met its death before it even began working.

The public blames the inefficiency of government offices such as system interruptions and network problems as a hindrance to service delivery. As such we implore government to work around the clock to address these problems and allow those who qualify to apply for Omang cards timely.

The problem of not having Omang cards while you qualify to do so has a devastating effect not only on an individual but the country as a whole.

This is an election year, and the increasing pile of uncollected Omang cards might explain why some people did not register to vote in this year’s general elections. The current situation does not favour  anyone as such we implore everybody, the public and the government to do their part towards ensuring that all Batswana eligible to vote have in their possession valid Omang cards in time to vote.

 

Today’s thought

“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”

 

-Abraham Lincoln