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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 17 Sep 2008 Title: Youth Indaba to encourage election participation -------------------- By Luyanda Makapela Johannesburg - The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is to host a Youth Indaba aimed at informing the youth about the importance of participating in the next general elections. Launching the 2009 provincial and national elections on Wednesday, IEC Chief Electoral Officer Pansy Tlakula said the Youth Indaba would help boost youth registration figures. Currently, the youth only make up 15 percent of all the registered voters. "The forthcoming indaba will help us determine a strategy to engage and encourage young people to participate in voter registration as they are future ambassadors of this country," said Advocate Tlakula, adding that the date for the event would be announced soon. She highlighted that it formed part of continued efforts to encourage young people to register and exercise their voting rights. IEC Chairperson Brigalia Bam said the commission would also be targeting schools, especially School Representative Councils (SRCs). She noted that although some young people were interested in voting, it was not high on their list of priorities. "Our task then is to ensure that we work together with young people, through our campaigns to ensure that they take voting as a matter of priority," said Ms Bam. One of the reasons cited for the lack of interest was young people between the age of 18 and 25 are establishing relationships, starting families, studying and looking for employment or starting careers among others and participating in elections are not among their top priorities. "The voting comes later," said Ms Bam. "This is why it is then our joint responsibility as South Africans to make sure that we find ways of attracting young people in voters' registration." Voters will be able to check their registration status by visiting www.elections.org.za, or by sending an SMS with their ID numbers to 32810. -BuaNews |
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