Nearly 3 000 new voters registered in KwaDukuza during the IEC’s registration weekend, with young voters accounting for the bulk of new sign-ups.

The weekend generated 20 517 voter transactions across the municipality, including new registrations, voter transfers and the verification of voter details.

Of these, 2 941 were first-time registrations, while 9 672 voters verified or updated their details and 7 904 transferred to different voting stations.

A total of 149 registrations came from future voters aged 16 and 17, while 2 421 were recorded among people aged 18 to 21.

Women accounted for most registration activity, with 11 446 registrations compared to 9 071 by men.
IEC iLembe regional manager Paul Daniel said the commission was satisfied by the turnout.

“We are happy with the new voter registrations. We hoped for more, but the numbers are encouraging,” he said.

Daniel said most new registrations continue to come through the IEC’s school outreach programme, with schools proving one of the most effective ways to reach first-time voters.

The highest registration activity was recorded in Wards 1 and 2, which processed 1 023 and 1 022 voters respectively. Ward 27 recorded 818 registrations, while Ward 6 processed 737 transactions, including 41 new registrations.

Ward 22 recorded 441 transactions and 49 new registrations, while Ward 30 processed 301 transactions, including 23 first-time voters.

The registration weekend followed recent Municipal Demarcation Board boundary changes that resulted in adjustments to voting stations in parts of Ballito and Salt Rock.

A new Ward 6 voting station has been created at Ballito Gesinskerk NG Noordkus, while Simbithi Estate voters will now vote at Salt Rock Country Club instead of Salt Rock Library.

Another voting station has been established at Salt Rock City Open Space to serve residents of Brettenwood, Dunkirk and Elaleni. Voters from Umhlali Village have also been moved from Ward 22 to Ward 28.

Daniel encouraged residents to continue registering and updating their details online, noting that voter registration remains open ahead of the local government elections.

A second voter registration weekend will be held on August 1 and 2.