Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
10 February 2024 | 06:54 CAT

Image: BizNews

The Electoral Commission of South Africa, or IEC, added 1.2 million new voters to the voters after the final registration weekend.

The IEC and the different political parties have stressed the importance of getting young people on the voter rolls before the two registration weekends.

Regarding the past registration weekend, over two million (2 060 754) citizens interacted with the Electoral Commission by visiting the 23 303 voting stations or using the online voter registration portal.

Of the two million transactions recorded this past weekend, 457 384 or 22% were new entrants on the voters’ roll. A total of 1 606 370, or 88%, inspected and updated their registration details. This aligns with the message that voters must register and vote in the voting district where they reside unless they notify the Commission of an intention to vote elsewhere.

Regarding the overall provincial outcomes, Kwazulu-Natal recorded 510 670 transactions, Gauteng 452 596, and the Eastern Cape comes in third at 305 460 transactions.

Regarding new registrations, 77% are young persons under 29 entering the voter’s roll for the first time—The number of new registrations for young people stands at 352 524. KwaZulu-Natal again leads with young person registration at 103 647, followed by Gauteng at 82 168 and the Eastern Cape at 43 673.

The gender split of the new registration is, on this occasion, evenly split, with female registrations accounting for 233 364 or 51%, while the male new registrations account for 224 020 or 49%.

With two registration weekends under its belt, the Electoral Commission is now focusing on ramping up preparations for the NPE 2024.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany and the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Akhari Henning.