COSATU pushes for extended voting hours and election day holiday
The body said it is concerned that only half of eligible voters are registered to vote, and only half of this number cast their ballots in last week’s municipal polls on Wednesday.
Lindsay Dentlinger
COSATU headquarters in Braamfontein. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
Jacques Nelles/EWN
Trade union federation the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) said it will make submissions to Parliament to extend early and election-day voting hours to improve voter turnout.
The body said it is concerned that only half of eligible voters are registered to vote, and only half of this number cast their ballots in last week’s municipal polls on Wednesday.
COSATU wants the government to declare election day a non-trading holiday as a way to ensure non-essential workers will vote without fear of losing their wages or jobs.
Voter turnout in last week’s polls was only 52%.
Despite the acrimonious split between the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) in these elections, which saw the SACP follow through on its desire to contest elections independently for the first time, its third alliance partner, Cosatu, says it remains committed to strengthening their alliance.
The trade union said the working class and the nation cannot afford an ANC nor an alliance that is divided or weakened.
The former majority party has limped over the line with only 30% of the vote.
COSATU spokesperson Matthew Parks said the ANC will need to reflect on the message sent to it by voters.
"It is critical that it deals with the fundamental challenges facing society, from unemployment to poverty, from inequality to crime and corruption, to struggling public and municipal services," Parks said.
COSATU said the ANC can still win back the confidence of society if it intensifies its renewal campaign and removes corrupt and criminal elements who have damaged its image.
"It is equally critical that ANC leaders and public representatives lead with modesty and humility at all times. It is no exaggeration to say that voters have sent it a final warning," Parks said.
Parks said the union would prefer that the ANC form coalitions with parties that are biased towards working-class communities in municipalities where no majority has emerged.