ANC Youth League supports EFF's initiative for automatic voter registration for 18-year-olds

The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) has publicly endorsed the EFF's groundbreaking proposal to automatically register South Africans when they reach the age of 18.

ANCYL Leader Collen Malatji, who addressed a youth league media briefing at Luthuli House on Tuesday, believed this initiative could increase youth participation in elections and address the challenge of last-minute registration rushes as well as youth voter apathy.

During the EFF's 3rd National People's Assembly, which convened at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg this past Sunday, EFF President Julius Malema emphasised the importance of simplifying the voting process for young South Africans.

He underscored that the proposal has already been presented in Parliament, where the party advocates for the law to mandate automatic registration as a civic duty for every citizen.

A recent study by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) found that young people have a high distrust of political parties, leading them to stay away from the polls.

This study also follows reports that the 2024 general elections recorded the lowest voter turnout in the country’s democratic history, with 58% of all registered voters casting their ballots.

As a result, Malema believes that this proactive measure would ensure that the youth engage in elections and exercise their democratic rights.

"We said in Parliament we want every child who becomes 18 to be automatically registered as a law in South Africa because it is your civil duty as a citizen to vote and to vote for a party of your choice," Malema said.

Malatji echoed this sentiment, asserting that supporting such initiatives is vital for increasing democratic engagement among the youth.

"I don’t think it’s a bad idea. We must not always oppose everything from the opposition because most of the people on the day of voting… that is the day they want to run around and go and vote," he stated.

Malatji said part of the Youth League's mandate is to mobilise as many young people as possible to exercise their right to vote, which is enshrined in the country's Constitution.

He further articulated the Youth League's commitment to mobilising young voters, emphasising that generating excitement about registration remains a formidable challenge

"In most cases, when we mobilise them to go and vote, they are not doing that. But on the day when there’s a high of 'let’s go and vote', a lot of young people, women, and old people who have not registered. I think it’s something that we can engage on and engage the IEC on it, and check if it’s implementable. I think it’s something that, as the Youth League, we are ready to support," he added.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za