‘Worrying Trends’: Support for Democracy Plunges to 36%Only 17% Interested in 2026 Elections

A growing number of South Africans have expressed dissatisfaction with democracy as the country heads to the voting polls for the local government elections later this year.

This is according to the latest Voter Participation Survey conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and commissioned by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) .

Declining Support

The study reveals a notable decline in support for democracy as the preferred system of governance.

• Mid-2000s: 67% of South Africans preferred democracy

• 2025-26: Only 36% prefer democracy over other kinds of government

Meanwhile:

• 26% are now open to non-democratic alternatives (up from about 10% in the mid-2000s)

• 34% believe it does not matter what kind of government they have (up from around 15%)

Confidence Weakens

Only 12% of adults who support democratic values think the country is going in the right direction compared to 71% in 2004.

Provincial Worries

HSRC’s Dr Ngqapheli Mchunu said the low numbers of residents in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal who believe it is the duty of all citizens to vote are “worrying.”

Gauteng is the only province where less than 50% of citizens recognise the duty to votedown to 47% .

“Considering the importance of the province of Gauteng in terms of South Africa’s economy, along with KZN, these are, of course, worrying trends which need to be observed quite carefully.”

The Power of Voting

The study also shows a decline in the number of people who believe their vote makes a difference.

• 2004: 74% saw value in their vote

• 2025-26: Less than 30% believe their vote makes a difference

“More than 70% of citizens now believe that their vote actually doesn’t make a difference,” Mchunu said.

Interest in the 2026 Elections

• 17% of citizens are interested in casting their vote in the 2026 elections

• 37% showed slight interest

• 21% showed a lack of interest

• 24% showed no interest at all

The IEC’s Response

IEC CEO Sy Mamabolo emphasised the importance of the study.

“This survey forms part of ongoing research that the commission has undertaken since the early 2000s to take a deep and reflective view of the attitudes within our democratic society.”

“The findings of this survey enable the commission to design and implement targeted interventions that contribute to creating conditions conducive to free and fair elections.”

The Bottom Line

Democracy’s support has halved. Confidence in the country’s direction has collapsed. Belief in the power of a vote has cratered.

Only one in six South Africans are interested in the coming elections.

The numbers are stark. The trend is clear. And the IEC is calling on all sectors of society to act.

{Source: Citizen}

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