Poor turnout at local voter registration stations

There was a poor turnout at voting stations across Boksburg for the voter registration weekend on February 3 and 4 ahead of the 2024 national and provincial elections.

The Boksburg Advertiser visited the Boksburg Stadium, Freeway Park Primary School and Laerskool Concordia.
Boksburg Stadium
There was no sign of people queuing to register at the Boksburg Stadium on February 3.

Promise Ndzonda (19) was the only person this publication found registering to vote.
Ndzona explained this would be her first time voting.

“I’m not excited because I’m still deciding who to vote for,” she said.

The first-time voter highlighted student funding is a problem she wants to see addressed.

“I would like more funding that caters for everyone to be available to students. I’m a student and I know the struggle. Furthermore, job creation is important,” said Ndzonda.
Party agents for the ANC, Nomsa Mlotshwa and Nomnikelo Mnqatu, who were at the stadium, said they were excited about the upcoming elections.

“However, the first day of the voter registration weekend was too quiet. Some people were here to change their address, and there were a few new registrations.

“It’s important to vote so that you can make your own voice heard. We’re are also expecting the youth to come and make their mark, which is good because we want to hear their thoughts and voice.”

Meanwhile, Joshaphath Pieterse, party agent for the DA, also noted the turnout on Saturday was not good.

“It’s important to vote so that your input can also be noted. The young people of the country also now have the opportunity to give their point of view.”

Freeway Park Primary
There was also a poor turnout at Freeway Park Primary School on February 3.

While IEC officials were at the school to assist voters, this publication did not find anyone coming out to register.

Laerskool Concordia
There were more feet at Laerskool Concordia on the last day of the voter registration weekend.

ANC party agent Sydwell Mkhatshwa said the good thing he noted about the voter registration weekend is that youngsters are registering to make their mark.
Ward 22 councillor for the DA Madeleine Muller was also seen at the school.

Muller said it was a good registration weekend, noting the youth are registering. She added a 85-year-old first-time voter also registered.
EFF party agent Jacob Majolo feels that a vote for change is needed because the people of South Africa are suffering.

“We want the lives of our children to improve. South Africans need housing, transport for the kids and job creation.”

One of the voters registering, Sihlakani Mbhele said it’s important to vote because it determines the future of the country.
“You can make a change instead of complaining. The country is not in a good state at the moment. It’s a mess. Everything is deteriorating.”

IEC
The Electoral Commission reported that at the close of registration on day one, more than half a million registrations were recorded at its 23 303 voting stations.
At 13:00 on February 4, a total of 564 715 registration transactions had been recorded at voting stations.

The Commission reminds eligible voters of the general rule in elections. This includes a person voting at a voting station where they are registered. The only exception to the general rule is that a voter may vote outside of the voting district of registration upon notification to the Commission by a date to be regulated by the election timetable. Details of the modalities of notification will be outlined after the registration process.

The Commission extends its gratitude to thousands of South Africans who have gone online and visited registration stations to register, re-register or check their details.

Also Read: Your voting experience and election results

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