South Africa: voter registration ended in indifference

2024-02-06T17:01:47.257Z

Highlights: In South Africa, more than 27.4 million voters are registered on the electoral roll. Last weekend, the Independent Electoral Commission organized the last voter registration campaign. The date of the poll has not yet been set, but it must be held before the 8 august. Polls suggest that for the first time the ruling ANC party could lose its majority in the election.. 18 million South Africans live in conditions of extreme poverty. More than a third of those who could vote are not registered.

In South Africa, more than 27.4 million voters are registered on the electoral roll. Last weekend, the Independent Electoral Commission organized the last registration campaign...

South Africa: voter registration ended in indifference

In South Africa, more than 27.4 million voters are registered on the electoral roll. Last weekend, the Independent Electoral Commission organized the last voter registration campaign, before the general elections scheduled for the coming months. The date of the poll has not yet been set, but it must be held before the 8 august.

A man walks past posters calling for voter registration ahead of the 2024 South African general elections in the township of Verulam, near Durban, on February 3, 2024. AFP - RAJESH JANTILAL

By: RFI Follow

According to the South African Independent Electoral Commission, 457,000 new voters registered last weekend. Among them, 77% are under 29 years old, women are in the slight majority, and the largest number of registrants are in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

“

The campaign was a success

,” welcomed the Electoral Commission, which recalled that it is still possible to register online until the election date is announced.

However, some political analysts point out that more than 27 million registered voters represent only 64% of eligible voters. More than a third of those who could vote are not registered. They highlight electoral apathy.

For 30 years, political leaders have been making promises that they have not kept: getting the country out of poverty; develop public services. Yet today, 18 million South Africans live in conditions of extreme poverty.

Polls suggest that for the first time the ruling ANC party could lose its majority. The date of the election should be announced by the head of state during his state of the nation speech scheduled for Thursday, February 8.

Read also South Africa: the ANC party suspends the country's former president Jacob Zuma

South Africa: voter registration ended in indifference

South Africa: voter registration ended in indifference

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