IEC launches 2021 Municipal Elections
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) officially launched the 2021 Municipal Elections on Wednesday, unveiling a mobilisation campaign aimed at encouraging eligible voters to register and participate in the 27 October elections.
The theme: “Every Voice Together”.
The launch was held at an event at the Sandton
Convention Centre in Johannesburg attended by key stakeholders including
leaders of political parties, government officials, members of the diplomatic
corps and the media.
Eligible voters are urged to register between
17-18 July 2021. Those already registered are urged to check and update their
registration details.
A major focus of the campaign will be on
encouraging young and first-time voters to register and vote in a bid to boost
voter registration numbers ahead of the closing of the voters’ roll on
proclamation by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
expected in early August.
“Currently the voters’ roll has 25.75 million
registered voters. Based on population estimates from Statistics South Africa
it is estimated that some 15 million eligible voters remain unregistered. Of
these, about 60 percent are under the age of 30,” said Chief Electoral Officer
Mr Sy Mamabolo.
“This is not necessarily a reflection of
so-called ‘apathy’ by young people. Young voters have had fewer opportunities
to register than older voters – with millions only qualifying for registration
over the past 24 months since the last major voter registration drive.,’’ he
added.
IEC Chairperson, Glen Mashinini, said the elections
were an opportunity for a new generation of South Africans to take up the
mantel of supporting democracy from previous generations.
“Our appeal to the current generation of
freedom-loving South Africans is to use the Municipal Elections to leave an indelible
footprint for posterity: A legacy of continuing an unbroken record of adhering
to the dictates of our Constitution and staying the course on our democratic
journey.’’
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