About 60% of Free State residents who registered during the IEC's first voter registration weekend were women.

Some 59 000 women visit the commission’s registration stations, compared with 44 768 men, said IEC Free State spokesperson Mmathabo Rasengani. New voters numbered 16 136 while 58 426 reregistered. Only 588 young people between 18 and 21 years registered to vote in the 2024 general election.

Free State Provincial Electoral Officer Jabulani Tshabalala expressed his appreciation to voters who heeded the IEC's call to take part in the registration weekend. He made a call to those who haven’t yet registered to do so online.

Eligible citizens had the opportunity to register at 23,296 registration stations across South Africa for the national and provincial elections that are due to be held sometime between May and August next year.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane Daphné