Do voting make a difference?
Statistics from the 2009 general election indicate that each vote, together, can make a difference.
NELSPRUIT – Registration for voting in this year’s general elections closes on February 9, but the majority of prospective voters are yet to be registered.
Statistics from the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) previous registration weekend in November, indicated that the number of young people to enrol was low. This, while about 73 per cent of South Africans were younger than 39, according to research done by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS).
The study cited Statistics South Africa’s estimation that about four million citizens who would be eligible to vote for the first time this year, had still to register. The next two weeks will be their last chance as registration closes after the weekend of February 8 and 9. Before the weekend, people may, however, also enrol by appointment at their IEC municipal offices.
The ISS found some young people had opted out of voting. “Some have opted out of democratic processes such as elections due to the disinterest of the ruling elite in responding to their interests. Promises of a bright future are weighed against the lived realities of high levels of unemployment, poverty and inequality.
“Young people have an immense opportunity to influence South Africa’s political landscape. It is important to understand what drives them to participate in elections and how key issues impact on their willingness to vote, and for whom,” the study found.
Statistics from the previous national and provincial elections indicated that not all registered voters even made their crosses on April 22, 2009. Of the 31,4 million people of voter-appropriate age, only 23,2 million were registered during the previous elections. Of these, only 17,9 million people cast their votes for the national assembly, including 239 237 spoiled ones.
This showed that 5,3 million people who were registered to vote did not, while 8,2 million who could have weren’t even registered to do so.
In an election where the ruling party needs only 11,7 million votes to achieve a 67 per cent majority, the 13,5 million people who can register and vote, have a good chance to make theirs count.
