In the Western Cape, over 1,500 voter registration stations will be open again on Sunday, providing one final opportunity for individuals to register to vote or update their details. This push to increase voter participation is crucial as political parties vie for control of the province.
The preliminary figures indicate that by late Saturday, over 60,000 people had engaged with the Electoral Commission in the Western Cape. This engagement occurred either at one of the registration stations or through the online platform.
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The Democratic Alliance (DA), which has held control over the province for the past 15 years, aims to extend its influence and use it as a platform to boost its prospects nationally. Alan Winde, the DA’s premier candidate, is leading the campaign to encourage more young people, in particular, to register.
It is estimated that around 400,000 individuals under the age of 29 in the Western Cape are not yet captured on the voters’ roll. To address this, the DA is leaving nothing to chance.
Party leader John Steenhuisen is expected to join the registration efforts on Sunday morning. The party will station representatives outside each of the province’s 1,500 polling stations.
Meanwhile, the African National Congress (ANC) is focusing its efforts on the west coast, specifically in the fishing community of Saldanha Bay. On Sunday, National Executive Committee (NEC) members Mcebisi Skwatsha and Supra Mahumapelo are expected to lead the ANC’s campaign in this area.
However, two polling stations in the Marikana informal settlement in the Philippi area will remain closed for a second day. The community has requested this closure due to concerns that the opening of these stations may exacerbate existing tensions related to service delivery.
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The voter registration drive in the Western Cape is an important step towards ensuring a fair and representative democracy. By encouraging more individuals, especially young people, to register, political parties aim to increase voter turnout and foster greater engagement in the democratic process.
It is crucial for all eligible individuals to take advantage of the opportunity to register or update their details at these open registration stations. By doing so, they can exercise their right to vote and contribute to shaping the future of the Western Cape and South Africa as a whole.
