As the final voter registration weekend for the upcoming 2024 elections kicked off, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced a strong start with a remarkable turnout. Over 300,000 individuals flocked to voter registration centers in the first few hours of opening on Saturday, showcasing an active and engaged citizenry.
Providing an update on the ongoing registration drive, the IEC highlighted that among the registrants, 55,000 were first-time voters, signifying a renewed interest and participation in the democratic process.
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Masego Sheburi, expressed optimism about the early turnout, stating that it not only set a positive tone for the entire registration period but also reflected citizens’ continued involvement in national affairs.
In addition to the physical registration centers, the IEC noted a substantial online engagement through its digital platform. Sheburi reported that the online portal recorded over 20,000 transactions on the same day. Among these transactions, 7,234 were new registrations, indicating a significant number of individuals entering the voters’ roll for the first time.
The robust start to the registration weekend underscores the importance placed by South Africans on actively participating in the democratic process and exercising their right to vote. The IEC continues to encourage citizens to take advantage of the registration period to ensure an inclusive and representative electoral system for the upcoming elections.