Poor voter turnout 'ominous sign citizens’ faith in electoral democracy has declined' - Steve Biko Foundation

JOHANNESBURG - There are suggestions that the poor voter turnout at the 2024 national and provincial elections is a sign of a struggling democracy.

This was expressed by a collective comprising the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and several other organisations during a media briefing on Thursday.

The foundations have proposed the establishment of a national dialogue to restore the legitimacy and credibility of South Africa’s democracy.

The Steve Biko Foundation CEO, Nkosinathi Biko, said the poor voter turnout highlighted the need to go back to the drawing board.

“This is an ominous sign that the faith of citizens in electoral democracy has declined since its birth in 1994. Of concern is the prospect that this voting trend may well be a symptom of declining faith in every idea of democracy and a country united in our diversity.”