The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says the number of voting stations for next year’s general elections have been increased to 4 792 from 4 699 in 2016.
The commission has been briefing the media in East London on its readiness for next year’s general elections.
IEC provincial head in the Eastern Cape, Khayakazi Magudumana has urged the youth to register during the January voter registration period.
He says the commission is concerned about young people’s lack of interest in participating in national elections.
“If you look at the age bands, 18 to 24 are very few in numbers. Where are we taking this from? As a province, the ages 16 to 24 for example, we are just over 20% and when you look at the elderly 80+ we are 100%. This is evident during by-elections or elections where you see the elderly more in numbers in queues than youth and we are appealing to the youth of the country to take voting seriously. It is their responsibility they must be registered.”
Some youths have cited reasons for their lack of interest in voting.
One says, that young people go to school, they study, finish and then when it comes to them getting work its difficult. They are promised bread and butter which is never delivered.
