Parties upbeat with voter registration
Alexandra – A three-horse raise may be in store in Alex's municipal elections
Three political parties dominated presence at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) stations in Alexandra as voters registered in the final registration for the local government elections scheduled for 3 August this year.
A three-horse race may be in store from the African National Congress (ANC), Economic Freedom Front (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The drive was to woo voters – mainly the 18-year olds on the day to join 25 million others to exercise their right to elect a government of their choice.
Despite the low turnout, party agents predicted victory based on programmes they said would be revealed in their manifestos, and from their track record where they govern.
The EFF’s agent, Sello Marole, said their desks were inundated with voters eager to attend the launch of their manifesto in Soweto this month end. This after the party was vindicated as an organisation against state corruption by the recent Constitutional Court judgment which ruled that President Jacob Zuma had failed to uphold the Constitution by using tax revenues for the excess upgrade of his Nkandla homestead. “Many residents registered membership as a show of confidence in the EFF to win in Gauteng and most other provinces,” Marole said.
The DA was boosted by the presence of the Joburg mayor elect, Herman Mashaba, and party leader, Mmusi Maimane, who led first-time voters at a 16th Avenue and Rooth Street station. Maimane said poor living conditions in Alexandra and countrywide where reasons the residents should choose wisely and for change at the polls if they expect improvements in their lives. ” Basic services have become a luxury, the President treats our Constitution like a pamphlet that can be violated in every way possible and Madiba’s dream of 1994 is fast slipping away, as Jacob Zuma and his ANC continue to make themselves and those connected to them rich, while millions of South Africans suffer. No wonder many have given up hope,”Maimane said. He appealed to voters not to despair as hope was through their votes which would be the difference between a new, fresh, clean and citizen-orientated government or, five more years of the same.
He urged residents to also join the party on 15 April in marches in Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Bay for change, by removing Jacob Zuma.
Zandile Mothupi of the ANC said public confidence in the ANC was stable and more residents registered for membership to ensure continuity in service delivery and the deepening of democracy. “Our track record is evidence of the party’s commitment to improve the livelihoods of the poor. In the process challenges should be expected and we address them.” Mothupi said.
