IEC to encourage youth to register for 2024 Elections
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 11: IEC barrier tape at voting station for Ward 32 during the by-elections on November 11, 2020 in Durban, South Africa. It is reported that it was the largest by-elections that ever took place in South Africa on a single day with 107 seats up for grabs in 95 wards. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images)
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The IEC aims to target South African youth between the ages of 18 – 29, especially first-time voters, to register in upcoming campaign.
Published by: Everything ZA News
14 November 2023
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is encouraging the youth to register to vote in the upcoming 2024 general elections. The IEC has launched a number of initiatives to reach out to young people, including:
- The School Democracy Programme (SDP), which engages learners in civic and democracy education and voter registration activities.
- The Youth Democracy Programme, which aims to educate and empower young people to participate in the democratic process.
- The #YouthVoteMatters campaign, which uses social media and other platforms to reach out to young people and encourage them to register to vote.
The IEC is also working with youth organizations and other partners to promote voter registration among young people.
The IEC’s efforts to encourage the youth to register to vote are important because young people make up a significant portion of the South African population. According to the 2022 Mid-Year Population Estimates, people aged 15 to 34 make up 37.2% of the population. This means that young people have the potential to play a major role in shaping the future of South Africa.
However, voter turnout among young people has been traditionally low. In the 2021 local government elections, only 31.4% of people aged 18 to 29 voted. This compares to 58.4% of people aged 60 and over.
The IEC is hoping to increase voter turnout among young people in the 2024 general elections. The IEC believes that it is important for young people to have a say in the future of their country.
Here are some of the reasons why it is important for young people to register to vote:
- Voting is a right and a responsibility. It is a right that young people should cherish and exercise.
- Voting is a way to make your voice heard. It is a way to choose the leaders who will represent you and make decisions on your behalf.
- Voting is a way to shape the future of your country. It is a way to make your country a better place for yourself and future generations.
If you are a young person in South Africa, I encourage you to register to vote in the upcoming 2024 general elections. You can register to vote online, at your local IEC office, or at a voter registration station.
Here are some tips for registering to vote:
- Make sure you are eligible to vote. You must be a South African citizen, at least 16 years old (you can only vote from age 18), and not disqualified from voting.
- Have your green, bar-coded ID book or smartcard ID ready. You will need to provide this when you register to vote.
- If you are registering to vote online, make sure you have a working internet connection and a valid email address.
- If you are registering to vote in person, find your local IEC office or voter registration station. You can find this information on the IEC website.
Once you have registered to vote, you will be able to vote in the upcoming 2024 general elections. Your vote is important, so make sure you use it.
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