The Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Free State receives a disappointing turn out in the number of registered youth in 28 tertiary institutions ahead of voting season.
The special campaign was held from 18 to 20 February, the drive was aimed at encouraging the youth to register to vote during the 2019 provincial and national election on 8 May.
Mmathabo Rasengane, the IEC’s provincial spokesperson, said the campaign could only get a mere 1 817 youths to register.
Their expectations were not met, even through their extra effort in encouraging the youth to register for the upcoming elections.
“At some campuses, students showed no interest to register to vote during the elections.
She
also mentioned the challenges they faced with industrial action by workers
affiliated with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union
(Nehawu).
It was said that strikes also played a part, leading to the disappointing turn out, this hindered the process at least four campuses.
The 2019 elections will be the sixth in the era of democracy.
