The latest voter registration statistics released by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) have revealed a decline in the numbers between week 2 and week 3.
The stats show that since January 5, 2024 when the national voter registration exercise began, a total 319,632 eligible voters have been captured. 130,541 people were registered in week two beginning January 8-12, with the numbers dropping to 113,525 in the week beginning January 13-19.
Despite this decline, the IEC spokesperson, Osupile Maroba, was optimistic of the commission achieving at least 1,360,000 registrations representing 80 percent of the targeted 1.7 million registrations.
In an interview with Mmegi online, Maroba said experience showed that a decline in the numbers mid way through the registration exercise does not necessarily spell doom, as the numbers tended to increase significantly in the final weeks of the registration.
While Maroba said it was too early to start sounding alarm bells, it was essential for all eligible voters to come forward and register with the IEC. "Voting gives a government legitimacy. It is, therefore, critical for citizens to shape their future by actively participating in their country's democratic process," Maroba observed.
