Electorial Commission says youth make up 77% of new voter registrations
The Electoral Commission thanked millions of South Africans, for boosting the voters’ roll by 1.2 million to 27.4 million, with 77% under 29.
During the recent registration weekends for the forthcoming National and Provincial Elections (NPE2024), the Electoral Commission expressed gratitude to millions of South Africans who participated, resulting in a growth of 1.2 million on the voters’ roll, which now stands at 27.4 million.
Over 2 million citizens interacted with the Commission, either at voting stations or through the online portal. Of these interactions, 22% were new entrants on the voters’ roll, totaling 457 384 individuals. Additionally, 88% inspected and updated their registration details.
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YOUNG ADULTS DOMINATE NEW REGISTRATIONS
Notably, 77% of the new registrations were young people under the age of 29, constituting 352 524 individuals.
Among the provinces, KwaZulu-Natal led in youth registrations with 103 647, followed by Gauteng at 82 168, and the Eastern Cape at 43 673.
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The gender split of new registrations was evenly distributed, with females accounting for 51% and males for 49%.
“Gauteng remains the province with the biggest voting population at 6.4 million voters, followed by Kwazulu-Natal at 5.7 million, then the Eastern Cape at 3.4 million voters. The age category 20-29 at 4.3 million now represents 48 percent measured against the voting age population,” said Electoral Commission.
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ELECTORAL COMMISSION: YOUNG ADULTS LEAD ONLINE REGISTRATION
Online registration portal usage was highest in Gauteng with 99 522 users. Followed by KwaZulu-Natal at 43 240 and the Western Cape at 33 822. Notably, young people under 29 accounted for 47% of online portal usage. Females utilised it more than males at 58%.
Overall, the engagement of young voters in the registration process signals their active participation in shaping the democratic landscape of South Africa.
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