Central SA
Northern Cape IEC hopeful of better voter turnout─── LUCKY NKUYANE 09:04 Sun, 19 Nov 2023
“Our voting stations opened on time and necessary logistics were in place and the weather played along except for some strong winds that we experienced in the Carnarvon area that affected our tents.”
The Northern Cape IEC has urged young people across the province to come out in their numbers and register for the upcoming national elections to be held in 2024.
This is after the IEC experienced lower visits at its stations in that province, especially among young people.
IEC provincial spokesperson, Elken Topkin, said the number of new registrations on the first day of the registration week was much lower than expected.
Topkin said young people must own the democracy by registering to vote.
"Yesterday we had just under 30 voters visiting our voting stations. With 6 and a half thousand being first-time registrations and those registrations coming mainly from the age group of under 30. We have seen over the years that the turnout on the first day of the registration weekend is lower compared to the second day," Topkin said.
Topkin said the IEC in that province is upbeat that the Sunday visits will increase.
He said there were no serious issues brought to their attention.
“Our voting stations opened on time and necessary logistics were in place and the weather played along except for some strong winds that we experienced in the Carnarvon area that affected our tents,” Topkin added.
Over two days on 18 and 19 November, eligible citizens are set to register at 23,296 registration stations across South Africa.
Registration stations will operate between 08:00 and 17:00 on both days.
IEC National spokesperson, Kate Bapela, said the voters’ roll currently stands at 26.2 million, representing 66 percent of the estimated voting age population.
“We are approaching this registration weekend informed by the national imperative to increase the coverage of the voters’ roll in all dimensions.
“We pertinently wish to indicate that lease agreements about permanent voting stations have been signed and concluded. Of these voting stations, 62% are schools, 9.7% are places of worship, and the balance of 28% include all other categories such as community halls and other municipal infrastructure,” Bapela said.
OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane Corné
