Only 1 in 3 people vote for their municipality
Most adults in South Africa stay away from the local polls
Recent local elections in South Africa witnessed a turnout of only 30% among the adult population, marking the lowest registration rates and voter participation since 2000. According to the Independent Electoral Commission's (IEC) data, 66% of adults are registered to vote in the upcoming local elections, but this figure remains stagnant despite the rise in the overall adult population.
Researchers attribute the low voter turnout to political disillusionment rather than apathy. The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) observed a sharp decline in satisfaction with democracy from 2003 to 2024, with only 20% of South Africans expressing satisfaction in the recent years. Trust in institutions, which was previously rated in the mid-50s, has plummeted to the mid-30s.
Despite the erosion of positive sentiment, younger South Africans remain committed to democracy. While there is growing skepticism about the system's effectiveness, they continue to value democracy in principle. This ambivalence reflects a society that is torn between its appreciation for democratic ideals and its doubts regarding its practical application.
Written by urgent.news from GroundUp's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
