MBOMBELA – More than three million South Africans registered to vote for the first time, re-registered or updated their registration details over the weekend.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) it was more than double the numbers recorded during the first registration weekend for the previous municipal elections in 2011.
Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng accounted for almost half of all new registrations. In Mpumalanga, 134 543 voters re-registered and 46 493 new voters registered to vote for the first time.
The bulk of new registrations were youths: 12 458 aged 18 to 19, and 23 219 aged 20 to 29.
“There has been a significant response by young people to the call to register. The IEC is grateful for this response,” they said.
ANC Mpumalanga spokesman Mr Thulare Madileng said the party was happy with the good turnout and commended the IEC and vulnteers for making it convenient for people to get to their voting stations.
The DA and EFF complained that some ANC members had removed their posters encouraging people to register to vote.
“Violence and fighting among one another are caused by political intolerance. We don’t put our posters on top of theirs and we don’t remove others’ posters,” said EFF provincial leader Mr Collen Sedibe.
Madileng said they were aware of the allegations, “They must go open a case, the IEC has regulations. If they claim that, they must come up with evidence.”
The IEC said the registration results showed South Africans were committed to democracy and participation in elections.
“This bodes well for the municipal elections and the future alike.”
The next, and final, registration weekend will be on April 9 and 10. Registration is also ongoing at IEC offices during office hours on weekdays.
- Find out where you are registered by sending an SMS with your ID number to 32810.
- Find your voting station.
