MK party causing the biggest election shifts according to polls
Polls and surveys play an important role in getting the feel of the country before elections.
uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) Party members celebrate on 26 March 2024, after the Electoral Court dismissed the ANC's application to have the party deregistered. Picture: Thabiso Goba/Eyewitness News
Clement Manyathela hosts Ray Hartley, Brenthurst Foundation Research Director, Mari Harris, Ipsos Sub-Saharan Africa Knowledge Director, and Gabriel Makin, Associate at the Social Research Foundation
Listen to the interview in the audio below.
Elections are just weeks away and groups are constantly conducting polls and surveys to get an understanding of how voting may play out.
While talk about these predictions is heightened around elections, they are not limited to voting season.
ALSO READ:
Can we trust political polls? It depends, says pollster
ANC vows to push DA far below 50% in Western Cape polls
Poll managers and researchers work year-round to try and understand what South Africans are feeling, and where they stand on certain issues.
“South Africans love to express their views, and with the correct approach, they do respond.”
- Ray Hartley, Brenthurst Foundation Research Director
Hartley says that in recent surveys, the MK Party seems to be the biggest disruptor in the elections, especially in KwaZulu-Natal.
“The face of MK in everyone’s mind, is Jacob Zuma, whether or not he's on the ballot paper… He has a prominent place in KZN.”
- Ray Hartley, Brenthurst Foundation Research Director
Makin and Harris say they saw similar results, and it's highly likely that MK will become the biggest party in the province.
Harris adds that the biggest question will be around voter turnout, as lower voter turnout favours the ANC.
However, she does believe the ANC will drop below 50% across the board.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.