Inmate vote: Judgment reserved
2004-02-26 10:50
Johannesburg - The Constitutional Court reserved judgment on Thursday in an application by certain prisoners to be allowed to vote in the April election.
The application was brought by the SA Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (Nicro) and two prisoners serving sentences without an option of a fine.
They argued that an amendment to the Electoral Act promulgated in December 2003 violated two constitutional rights of prisoners: the right to vote and the right to equality.
Under the Electoral Laws Amendment Act, only prisoners awaiting trial and prisoners given the option of paying a fine will be allowed to vote in the election on April 14.
The respondents included the minister of home affairs and the IEC.
- SAPA