More than 21,6-million South Africans have registered to vote in the 2009 election, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said on Wednesday.
Briefing the media following countrywide voter registration on the weekend, IEC chairperson Brigalia Bam said the drive had far exceeded expectations, with more than 1,6-million new voters registering.
”The IEC is delighted to see the success of the weekend drive to register new voters, especially the youth, who represent a majority of the weekend registration activity at 77,9%.
”We are proud to say that this was our most successful registration drive since 2000.”
Bam said more than 3,6-million South Africans had visited more than 19 000 registration stations to either register for the first time, re-register or to inspect their details.
”It is very pleasing that young people responded so positively to our registration campaign.”
KwaZulu-Natal had the highest number of new registrations (451 030), followed by Gauteng (369 623) and the Eastern Cape (193 444).
Bam said male registration remained lower than demographics indicated and this remained an area of concern.
A total of 882 536 women applied for registration for the first time while only 765 653 men did.
It was only in the age bracket of 40 to 49 years that men (just more than 50%) exceeded women (just less than 49%).
Bam said ”the very interesting phenomenon” in the gender split could not be understood.
It would require funded research as it was not a common pattern, she said.
People can still register to vote at IEC offices on weekdays — however, Bam said another registration weekend was planned for February next year.
”The voters’ roll closes on the date on which the president proclaims the election date,” she said. — Sapa