With South Africa's 2024 general elections fast approaching, concerns about voter education are growing. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is under scrutiny for not prioritizing voter education across the country. For the first time, voters will encounter three ballot papers due to changes in the Electoral Amendment Act, signed into law in April 2023.

Changes in the Voting System

The new act permits independent candidates to contest provincial and national elections, introducing a third ballot paper. This change has sparked concerns among analysts, who worry that the new ballot papers could confuse the over 27 million registered voters, especially first-time voters. Over 700,000 new voters have registered, with 81% of them under 30 years old.

Complexity of the New Ballot

Political analyst and author Tessa Dooms highlighted the complexity of the new ballot. "The third ballot will be a regional-to-national ballot, where 'regional' means provincial. It will elect both individuals and parties into a portion of national Member of Parliament (MP) seats," she explained. Dooms noted that the new ballot will list both political parties and independent candidates, making it more challenging for voters.

Voter Education Efforts

Dooms criticized the IEC for insufficient voter education. "The IEC has not done enough to educate people about the upcoming election; outside of local programs run by NGOs, we haven't seen enough voter education on the ground," she said. While social media posts exist, they assume everyone has internet access, which is not the case.

Understanding the Ballot Papers

According to the IEC, voters will receive three ballot papers: a national ballot for the 200 compensatory National Assembly members, contested by political parties on a closed-list basis; a regional ballot for the 200 National Assembly members, varying by region and listing eligible political parties and independent candidates; and a provincial ballot for provincial legislature members, also varying by province and listing eligible political parties and independent candidates.

Voting Station Requirements:

Dooms also noted that the IEC has not adequately informed citizens about changes to voting station requirements. Previously, voters could vote at any station, but now they must notify the IEC in advance if they plan to vote at a different station. "This is going to cause a lot of confusion," she said. "Many people will go to any voting station as they did before and will be turned away, leading to potential voter apathy."

Youth Voter Participation

Despite an increase in first-time registered voters, youth participation in actual voting remains low. A 2020 study by Collette Schulz-Herzenberg found that only 19% of eligible 18-19-year-olds registered to vote, and only 15% cast a vote. For 20-29-year-olds, only 30% voted, and for 30-39-year-olds, only 43% voted.

Current Election Statistics

The upcoming election statistics are also concerning. A recent study by the Johannesburg-based Ichikowitz Family Foundation showed that just under half of South Africa’s young voters (18-24 years old) are likely to vote, 16% said they wouldn’t, and 35% are undecided. Dooms emphasized the importance of the youth vote, noting that 11 million people under 40 registered to vote. "If all 11 million young people show up to vote, it could potentially change the election outcome," she said.

Upcoming Election

South African voters will head to the polls on May 29 to cast their ballots. The IEC's voter education efforts and the changes in the voting system will play a crucial role in the election's success and the voters' understanding of their civic duties.

Expert Opinions on Voter Education

Experts have voiced concerns over the IEC's approach to voter education. Political scientist Dr. Sipho Dlamini noted, "The IEC's voter education campaigns need to be more widespread and accessible. Relying solely on digital platforms excludes a significant portion of the population who do not have internet access."

Efforts by NGOs

Non-governmental organizations have stepped in to fill the gap in voter education. Various local NGOs have organized community workshops and door-to-door campaigns to educate voters about the new voting process and the importance of participating in the elections.

Impact on Election Outcomes

The success of voter education efforts will significantly impact the election outcomes. Accurate voter education ensures that voters are well-informed and confident in their voting decisions, leading to a more representative and legitimate electoral process.