BREAKING NEWS – IEC voter registration weekend breakdown for Lim

Close to 56 000 new voters registered during the final registration weekend in Limpopo on Saturday and Sunday, bringing the total number of registered voters on the voters’ roll to 2 607 123.
In a media statement forwarded by Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Limpopo spokesperson Motsiri Ramafalo, it was mentioned that 55 883 new voters have been registered in the province.
“Most encouragingly, of the 55 883 new registrations 44% (24 327) are under 30 years old. This means that the youth have heeded the call to register.”
It was indicated that of the new voters, 53 % equating to 29 472 are women and 47% totalling 26 411 are men. More than half, at 55 % or 30 445 are between 20 and 29 years, 21 % made up by 11 586 are aged 18 to 19 years and 5,2 % or 2 920 are aged 16 to 17 years.
“Over the past weekend Limpopo registered a total number of 220 072 comprised of the following:
• New registrations – 55 883;
• Re-registrations same VD (voting district) – 90 397; and
• Re-registrations different VD (voting district move) – 73 792.
“In terms of the total number of voters on (the) voters’ roll nationally, Limpopo is the fifth province with 2 607 123 or 9,75 %.”
It was remarked that in addition to new registrations, 73 792 voters have used the weekend to register in a new voting district and 90 397 voters confirmed their registration in the same voting district.
“Over 50 000 voters nationally also used the online ‘Click, Check and Confirm’ facility to update their address details over the weekend and over 265 000 have used the facility since it was introduced in 2017.”
According to the information at hand 220 072 voters were assisted at Limpopo’s 3 157 voting stations over the past weekend.
It was stated that the Electoral Commission was pleased with the overall registration level which remained high by international standards for countries with a voluntary registration system. However, it was said, the commission remained concerned that approximately 9 million eligible voters, of which approximately 6 million are under 30 years old, were still not registered.
“The Electoral Commission hopes young voters will make use of the short window of opportunity ahead of proclamation to still register at local IEC offices. Once the elections are proclaimed – expected during February – the voters’ roll will close for these elections.”
In conclusion it was stated that the IEC would be undertaking registration drives at higher learning campuses in early February to further boost registrations and would continue its communication and education efforts until the last possible moment. In the meantime registration is also continuing at South African missions abroad for citizens living outside the country where registration drives are expected to be held from tomorrow (Friday) until Monday.

Story: YOLANDE NEL
>>observer.yolande@gmail.com