JOHANNESBURG - The IEC warns voter participation has declined, pointing to a 30 percent drop.
Chairperson Mosotho Moepya said KwaZulu-Natal is among the provinces where more people are turning to non-democratic alternatives.
The Commission is now on a week-long drive in the province to boost voter turnout ahead of the municipal elections.
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“Every time we prepare for an election, it tells us what the challenges on the ground are. That we need to address, even as we prepare for elections," Moepya said.
"It has, on this occasion, brought out findings that are very concerning. In South Africa, democracy is taking some headwinds. It has come down from a high of 65 percent to a low of 36 percent.
"People are saying that they believe that voting or participating in democracy does not matter."