Eastern Cape sees rise in youth voter registration – SABC News

The Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Eastern Cape says youth voter registration has improved in the province compared to the previous Local Government Elections in 2021. The commission says although it experienced challenges in some areas, these were swiftly addressed, allowing it to recover and ultimately meet its registration targets.

The IEC has attributed the improved youth turnout to targeted voter education and outreach campaigns aimed at encouraging first-time and young voters to register ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections.

Voter registration officially closed on Friday night, following the proclamation of election date by Cogta Minister, Velenkosi Hlabisa.

While the turnout for the first voter registration weekend was significantly low, the IEC in the province says overall youth turnout has improved. More than 50% of young people in the Eastern Cape have registered to vote, with age bands 16 to 21 recording the highest turnout compared to the 2021 local government elections.

Eastern Cape IEC Deputy Manager for Electoral Operations, Masindi Mohesana, says the commission’s engagements with high schools and universities since last year June have helped improve voter confidence in areas that were once overlooked for first time voters.

The clock is ticking, Mzansi! ⏰
The voters’ roll closes on 7 August 2026. Registering to vote or updating your details on the IEC online portal is quick and secure. Take a few minutes today to be election-ready for #LGE2026.
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📍 https://t.co/mpLzNV5Jm7 pic.twitter.com/0EvFS5JcAN

— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) August 7, 2026

“We are quite happy with what we are seeing. When you look at the numbers, when we started looking at youth registrations around June last year, the age band 18 to 19 had around 87,000 young people registered to vote. As I’m speaking to you today, that number is around 114,000 young people in the Eastern Cape registered to vote within that age band,” says Mohesana.

While other young people opted not to register, citing lack of service delivery, others are excited to participate in the upcoming elections.

The commission has attributed the great registration turnout to its youth mobilisation campaigns, which will be intensified ahead of the elections to motivate young people to vote.

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