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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 29 Sep 2008 Title: President calls on youth to participate in 2009 elections -------------------- By Bathandwa Mbola Johannesburg - President Kgalema Motlanthe has called on all South Africans, particularly the youth, to participate in the 2009 general elections. In his first address to the nation as President of the Republic, Mr Motlanthe said the elections will afford the public the opportunity to elect a government that can respond to their needs. "We urge all those who have not registered to vote, to do so now. It is an opportunity to exercise your hard-won democratic right to choose a government that will respond to your needs and champion your interests," said the President. Next year, South Africa will take to the polls in the country's fourth democratic elections for the national and provincial government. "These elections are a crucial part of the effort to build a truly participatory democracy, in which all our people play an active role in all matters that affect them," he said. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will hold a voter registration exercise on November 8 and 9. More than 20 million people participated in the previous vote. The registration will be open throughout the country between 8am and 5pm on this weekend. It is also planned that all voting stations will be opened over one weekend towards the end of 2008, so that eligible voters can register to vote. A further voter registration drive will run in February 2009 for those who missed the previous runs. Those who had changed their address or personal details will also be allowed to make changes then. The voters roll will officially close in March 2009. To ensure that all South Africans practice their democratic right to vote, the IEC in partnership government organisations have embarked on various projects to educate the people about elections. This includes a voter education campaign to encourage young people to make their voices heard, which is in partnership with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). The voter education campaign aims to ensure maximum participation of the younger generation in the coming general elections. It will be staged in two phases - the schools outreach campaign also known as the "ID Ur-Self Now! Campaign and the voter registration democracy education drive. Various projects, which include campus outreach programmes, comprehensive radio talk shows on voter and democracy education, dramas, youth magazine as well as youth for democracy to motivate youth about participation in the upcoming elections, will educate the youth on the importance of voting. According to the IEC data, currently, the youth only make up 15 percent of all registered voters which makes less than 3 million. To find out if you are on the voter's roll, SMS your ID number to 32810 or visit www.elections.org.za. - BuaNews |
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