BLOEMFONTEIN – With the deadline of registration for special votes looming, the provincially represented parties signed the Code of Conduct on Friday 9 October in the Bloemfontein City Hall.

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (IEC) Mosotho Moepya, said with 68% of South Africans saying that they are not satisfied with the performance of democracy. “Public confidence in core institutions – including political parties, municipal councils, and indeed, the Electoral Commission itself – has steadily eroded under the weight of persistent economic hardships and service delivery deficits.

He said the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) data clarifies that lower turnout among Millennials and Gen Z voters is not driven by simple apathy. “Our youth still highly value voting as a core democratic principle. However, 69% of youth respondents explicitly believe that their vote will not make a tangible difference, and 78% feel that all political parties become indistinguishable once elected.”

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Moepya said this is not a narrative of casual disengagement; it is a story of profound structural disillusionment. “Our citizens are frustrated by unemployment, inequality, and failing local governance. When half of our eligible citizens remain unregistered to vote ahead of these municipal polls, it is an urgent distress signal about our collective political efficacy and the health of our democratic contract.”

The Provincial Manager of the IEC Itumeleng Liba revealed that the are 84 political parties that will take part in the 4 November election. For the 308 Ward Vacancies in the 19 Voter Districts in the Free State, there are 5 986 contestants. Voters will vote in 1604 voting station of which 268 will be tents.

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Judge Nokuthula Daniso then proceeded to read the Code of Conduct and party representatives of the parties signed the pledge. The Electoral Act contains an Electoral Code of Conduct aimed at promoting “conditions that are conducive to free and fair elections” and that create a climate of tolerance, free political campaigning, and open public debate.

Moepya called on voters that will not be able to vote at their prescribed voting station on 4 November, to register for special votes ahead of the deadline on Monday 12 October at 17:00.

Voters can go online to the IEC website to apply for these special votes.

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