South Africa: IEC launches campaign to help young people participate in democracy

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) launched its annual national campaign on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, aimed at building civic and democratic higher education institutions to increase young people’s understanding of and participation in the country’s democratic processes. According to the IEC, the campaign aims to involve South African youth in democratic education and encourage participation in the electoral process in preparation for the next general elections scheduled for May 29, 2024. In the 2021 municipal elections, 71% of registered young people aged 18-19 turned out to vote, while only 35% of those aged 20-29 voted.