Youth voter registration surge signals hope for South Africa’s democracy
21 November 2023
The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) warmly welcomes the recent data released by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), showcasing a remarkable surge in voter registrations, particularly among young citizens aged 16 to 29. This surge, with 78% of new registrations coming from the youth, is a testament to the success of the IEC's dedicated efforts to engage and attract young people to participate in the democratic process.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the 445,089 young citizens who took the initiative to register for the first time. Your commitment to shaping the future of our nation through active civic participation is commendable, and we honor your contribution to the democratic fabric of South Africa.
The CEO of the IEC, Sy Mamabolo, highlighted the significance of the youth demographic in this registration drive, stating that their focus on young persons is yielding positive results. As the ANCYL, we echo the commitment of the commission to continually enhance efforts to ensure increased youth registration levels, recognizing the crucial role young people play in shaping the destiny of our beloved country.
The ANCYL urges all young voters to exercise their democratic right by casting their votes for the African National Congress (ANC) in the upcoming National and Provincial elections.
The ANC remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering the youth, creating opportunities, and building a better future for all South Africans.
We commend the 2.9 million citizens who visited voting stations over the weekend, and the 196,511 individuals who registered online. The convenience of online registration is a vital tool for ensuring broader participation, and we encourage young people to continue registering online as part of the ongoing efforts to expand our democracy.
The demographic breakdown revealing that women constitute the majority of registrants is a positive trend, showcasing increased women participation in the democratic process. We celebrate the 52.5% Of women (298,500) who have registered and acknowledge the continued progress towards gender equality in our electoral processes.
While Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape led in voter registrations, we call on young people across all provinces to actively participate in the democratic process. Your voice matters, and your vote can shape the future of our nation.
Looking ahead, as the IEC plans a second registration weekend next year, we encourage everyone to leverage the online registration portal for convenience and efficiency. The voterS roll now boasts 26.8 million voters, marking an increase from 26.3 million before the registration weekend. However, with approximately 14 million eligible voters yet to register, there is still work to be done.
The ANCYL remains committed to mobilizing and empowering young South Africans to actively engage in the democratic process, and we look forward to a future where every eligible voter exercises their right to vote, contributing to the continued progress and prosperity of our great nation.
Issued by Mntuwoxolo Ngudle, ANCYL Secretary General, 21 November 2023
