Low voter turnout among youth a cause for concern
JOBURG – Decline in youth voters expected to affect results considerably.
Voter turnout has proven to be a vital factor in a country’s general elections. The IEC reported that there were more than 26 million registered voters for the 2019 elections, however, close to 10 million South Africans weren’t able to vote because they weren’t registered.
Since the voter registration parade began, there have been some concerns with the number of youth heeding the call of democracy and registering to vote following reports that the number was down substantially from the 2014 elections.
It has been reported that the number of 18 to 19-year-olds on the 2019 voter’s roll was 341 236 compared to 2014’s 646 313. While the number of registered 20 to 29-year-olds has dropped 4 per cent from 5 759 236 to 5 299 297.
Even though the reason for the drop in the youth voting was unclear, a number of political and elections analysts have said there was a growing trend among the youth globally to participate less within the political realm.
All the same, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has raised concerned over the poor youth turnout at polling stations.
Whether the low voter turnout amongst the youth is considered a form of protest action against the system or complete disregard of enfranchisement fact remains that these are alarming statistics which will affect the results considerably.
