NELSPRUIT- Mpumalanga, with its 1,85 million people of voting age registered, still falls slightly short of the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) target of two million, However, by its own admission, it was a tough target.
Statistics from the final registration weekend, showed that the number using the opportunity, amounted to 8,3 per cent of the national total. According to Mr Steve Ngwenya of the provincial IEC, this was in line with Mpumalanga’s population, which constitutes 7 per cent of the national total. The province’s new registrations totalled 7,8 per cent.
The province’s youth turned out in the largest numbers, with 81 852 aged 16 to 29 adding their names to the voter’s roll for the first time, and accounting for 84 per cent of the new registrations over the weekend.
The Department of Home Affairs also said it was satisfied with its services. The fact that it remained open throughout the weekend resulted in 19 862 identity documents, 2 081 temporary identity certificates and 4 540 Smart ID Cards being processed.
The cut-off for voter registration looms closer every day, with the registration period officially ending once the election date has been gazetted. Potential voters who have not yet registered, can still do so at their municipal IEC offices.
To check where you are registered, SMS your ID number to 32810.
