As South Africans gear up for the national government elections on Wednesday, 29 May 2024, voter registration statistics from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reveal that Johannesburg boasts a significant electorate.
According to the latest data on the IEC website as of 4 April 2024, a total of 2,347,185 individuals are registered to vote in Johannesburg. Females make up the majority, with 1,242,677 registered voters, while males account for 1,104,508 registrations. Among the age groups, the 30 – 39 category emerges as the most active, with 282,369 males and 306,755 females registered.
However, voter registration numbers among the younger generation are relatively lower. In the 18 – 19 age group, there are 14,502 registered males and 21,071 females, while in the 20 – 29 age group, 189,183 females and 149,641 males are registered.
In contrast, older age groups show higher registration rates. In the 40 – 49 age group, there are 282,144 registered females and 283,209 males, while in the 50 – 59 age group, 206,936 males and 214,292 females are registered to vote. Nationally, over 27 million individuals are registered to vote, with Gauteng boasting over 6.5 million registered voters.
Moses Pitso, IEC’s Head of Outreach and Communication, emphasizes three important points for voters to remember. First, independent candidates will contest National and Provincial elections for the first time.Second, individuals must vote at their registered voting station, with no option for voting elsewhere without prior application to the IEC.
Finally, voters will receive three ballot papers, each representing different levels of government and contested by various candidates and parties. With voter rolls closed and certified, Johannesburg’s diverse electorate is poised to participate in shaping the country’s political landscape come election day.
If you would like to know more, visit www.elections.org.za and click on voter education.
