Johannesburg: South Africans eligible to vote, who still need their identity documents (IDs), are urged to apply to the Department of Home Affairs ahead of the Local Government Elections in November. According to South African Government News Agency, a valid ID holds the key to democratic participation in the upcoming elections. Home Affairs has dramatically expanded access to this critical service by rolling out digitalised Smart ID services at over 450 bank branches in just five months. Dr Leon Schreiber, the Home Affairs Minister, emphasized the importance of utilizing these improved services to apply for and collect IDs without delay. Those who have already applied for an ID but have not yet collected their IDs are called on to do so. Citizens who still need to replace a lost or damaged identity document ahead of the elections are urged to utilize Home Affairs offices or the participating bank branches to acquire their documents and not wait until the last minute. Home Affairs encourages citizens to vi sit myhomeaffairsonline.dha.gov.za to find the nearest participating bank branch. The department also appeals to citizens who already have their identity documents to motivate family members, friends, and colleagues who do not yet have a Smart ID to apply and collect their documents before the elections.