#IMadeMyMark: Low voter turnout at most voting stations in Mpumalanga
It has been a slow start to the 2021 local government elections with fewer people than expected reporting at some of Mpumalanga’s voting stations.
Even though the turnout of voters in most parts of the province has been somewhat disappointing, political party leaders are adamant more people will start coming through this afternoon. The province’s largest townships, such as KaNyamazane, Pienaar, eMalahleni and Middelburg, were quiet, also with only a few people coming through to vote.
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Interestingly, young people did not seem to be bothered and showed little interest in participating in the polls. In Thulamahashe, Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, where Mpumalanga ANC’s acting chairperson, Mandla Ndlovu, voted in the morning, young people were starting to come in to cast their votes.
“Yes, things are going at a snail’s pace, but we understand that it’s still early and it’s hot. I am certain that more people will come and vote. But on that note, I would like to urge every eligible voter to come out in their numbers and vote,” said Ndlovu.
The Mpumalanga DA leader, Jane Sithole, also raised her concerns regarding the low turnout.
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“We actually anticipated a good turnout early on, but the numbers are very low. We are hoping though that people will start coming late in the afternoon. Otherwise, everything started off well with minor challenges here and there, but nothing major,” said Sithole.
Sithole voted in eMalahleni today. The deputy president, David Mabuza, has urged eligible voters to go all out and vote before the stations are closed this evening.
