EFF Pushes for Automatic Voter Registration at 16 to Tackle Low Turnout

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are looking to shake up how South Africans join the voters’ roll. The party has tabled a private member’s bill in Parliament calling for every citizen to be automatically registered at age 16, using data from the national population register.

If passed, the proposal would mean young people are added to the roll long before they’re eligible to cast a ballot, easing pressure on registration drives and cutting down on last-minute queues at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

A Proactive Move By The EFF

EFF MP Mazwi Blose argues that registering teenagers early will prevent election-year backlogs and make voting more accessible. “Someone can turn 16 now, but you know that in the next local government elections, they will be eligible to vote,” he explained.

The party believes the change would flip South Africa’s system from an “opt-in” approach to an “opt-out” one. Citizens would already be on the roll and would only need to confirm or update their details before voting. Those uninterested could deregister themselves.

Addressing Voter Apathy

South Africa has faced a worrying trend of declining voter turnout in recent elections. From young people skipping the polls to older voters losing faith in political parties, apathy has become a national talking point. By making registration automatic, the EFF hopes to re-engage disillusioned citizens, particularly the youth who make up a massive slice of the population.

Some political analysts have noted that lowering the barriers to entry could help, but warn it won’t solve deeper issues of trust and accountability that keep many away from the polls.

A Step Towards Easier Elections?

If adopted, the amendment to the Electoral Act of 1998 would also save the IEC millions of rand spent on mass registration campaigns before elections. More importantly, it could help normalise voting as a life-long habit from an early age.

For now, the bill is only at the proposal stage, but it has already reignited the conversation about how South Africa can make its democracy more inclusive and resilient.

Source:SABC News 

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