IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo highlights the significant role of young voters, stating, 'With 46% of new registrations coming from those under 29, South Africa's youth are stepping up to shape their future in the upcoming local elections.
Young South Africans drove first-time voter registrations during the final voter registration weekend ahead of the November 4 local government elections, with people under the age of 29 accounting for 46% of all new registrations, according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
According to IEC chief electoral officer Sy Mamabolo, the two-day registration drive on August 1 and 2 recorded 1.7 million voter transactions nationwide.
Of these, 291 000 people registered for the first time, while 1.5 million already registered voters inspected or updated their registration details.
“Even more encouraging is that 46% of the new registrations are by voters under the age of 29,” Mamabolo said.
