The Electoral Commission (ECN) donated some 70 of its 300 computers to the Ministry of Home Affairs this week so that the issuing of identity documents can be shortened to 24 days and that of passports to 10 days from April this year. Permanent Secretary Samuel Goagoseb of home affairs (L) made this pledge when he received the equipment from ECN commissioner Prof Victor Tonchi (R). Goagoseb said the data of all births, deaths, marriages and ID documents would be fed into the computers, even citizens turning 18 and becoming prospective voters. These data would be linked to that of the ECN and this would simplify the compilation of a voters’ roll. Photo: Brigitte Weidlich