EFF launches voter registration campaign

2 April 2023

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has officially launched the Voter Registration Campaign, which entails the registration of new voters on the Independent Electoral Commission's (IEC) Voter's Roll. The campaign, is born out of the credible realisation that the EFF needs to create a new voter base, in order to ensure total victory in the 2024 National Government Elections.

The launch, which was held in Ward 95 in Diepsloot in the City of Johannesburg, is the Ward with the highest number of eligible unregistered voters in the whole of South Africa, with an astonishing number of 33 104 eligible voters who are not registered to vote in that ward alone.

This high number of unregistered voters, is a reflection of the levels of voter-apathy which has increased due to a ruling party whose poor performance has begun to delegitimise the entire political system in the eyes of our people. Our democracy is therefore at risk if our people are not convinced of the importance of their vote in changing the lives conditions of ordinary people.

The people of Diepsloot live in utter poverty, with squatter camps existing as havens of crime, where police refuse to enter unless they are going to engage in corrupt activities with criminals in the Township. Housing in Diepsloot is allocated on the basis of political affiliation, and the youth has been surrendered to drugs and alcohol.

Despite all of this, the people of Diepsloot are not inspired to participate in the electoral process.

The EFF is certain that South Africa's democracy has entered a new era, wherein the ruling party is fast dwindling into an organisation whose fate is that of the opposition benches. The 2021 Local Govemment Elections (LGE) were proof that indeed a majority of South Africans are fed up with corruption, lack of service delivery and remain on the outskirts of the wealth of South Africa, while a white-minority continues to control the means of production.

Accordingly, the EFF has adopted the year 2023 as The Year Of Massive Political Education and Voter Registration. This means that we will embark on a deliberate campaign to educate the people Of South Africa on the policies and ideals of the EFF, so that they have an appreciation of what their govemment in waiting will deliver once we assume state power. Additional to this, the EFF will register new voters, with each province, region and all Ward based structures being given set targets to ensure that this momentous campaign is a success.

Our people must begin to appreciate that voter registration day and voting day is an occasion to take action against an incompetent and corrupt government. As our nation drowns in high-levels of crime, Gender-Based Violence, rolling electricity blackouts and corruption, the vote remains one of the strongest weapons in the hands of the poor. Registering to vote is therefore an act of service towards rescuing our country, and honouring those who came before us.

The youth of this country must stand up, and fight for the future because those who are leading this country will not be there when you have nothing to inherit but debt and poverty. There will never be free education or jobs for the youth, so long as the youth does not come out in its numbers and vote.

Those who are in power will never encourage voter registration because they know it would mean the end of their control over the levers of state power and it would end all opportunities for looting. The EFF has resolved to take this baton and ensure our people are armed with the vote to rescue their country.

The EFF has launched a USSD platform, wherein all members of society are able to register to vote. The platform, directs individuals through simple prompts where you can register to vote by being directed to the IEC website, check your registration status or change your voting address.

All South African citizens can dial the free number to register to vote and register to vote for the EFF.

It is now time to prepare for the total removal of the ANC from power, and it begins with this campaign. All members and structures of the EFF are directed to ensure without fail, that we register new voters to ensure that we attain economic freedom in our lifetime.

Let’s go and register to vote and usher in economic freedom in our lifetime.

Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 3 April 2023