More than 800,000 voters for October elections

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday May 27, 2014 17:59

 

The final supplementary registration exercise ended on May 18 and the IEC says focus has now shifted to preparations for the October polls.

IEC spokesperson, Osupile Maroba said while the total tally of registered voters was below the organisation’s target of 1.1 million, the numbers were consistent with the population growth of eligible voters.

According to historic IEC figures, voter registrations have been climbing over the years, with 2014’s 823,306 preceded by 725,817 in 2009, 552,849 in 2004 and 459,662 in 1999.

“The number of people who registered increased compared to the 2009 general elections,” he said.

“Those who did not register should know that they won’t have any other chance to register since the May 1 to 18 supplementary exercise was the final one.”

Available data shows a stubborn pattern of apathy in voting with 77 percent of the registered voters actually voting in 2009, compared to 76 percent in 2004, 77 percent in 1999 and 77 percent in 1994.

The IEC conducted one initial voter registration exercise last October and two supplementaries in February and May, as part of the build up to the general elections.

According to available figures, the initial voter registration exercise garnered 479,148 registrations, while the second attracted 177,148 registration and the last 167,682.

Maroba said the final size of the voters’ roll for 2014 will be known after the finalisation of court cases, which are presently ongoing.

It is reported that several cases are being heard around the country with litigants registering their objections to the voters’ roll.

 “We will know the number of people who have been struck off the voters roll when the courts finish deciding on those cases,” he said.

“Any names that courts order to be struck off the voters’ roll will be removed.”