HSRC survey: Growing disillusionment with democracy contributing to lower voter turnout
Voter apathy remains a concern, with growing frustration over poor service delivery and corruption further undermining public confidence in democratic processes.
Dimakatso Leshoro
An IEC official marks the thumb of a Joubert Park voter on 29 May 2024. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) said growing disillusionment with democracy and declining trust in political institutions are contributing to voters staying away from the ballot box.
Voter apathy remains a concern, with growing frustration over poor service delivery and corruption further undermining public confidence in democratic processes.
The IEC said only 14.9 million of the nearly 30 million registered voters participated in the 2026 local government elections.
Briefing the media on its voter satisfaction survey following the elections, the HSRC says despite efforts to mobilise voters, discontent continues to dampen participation.
Research director at the HSRC, Dr Benjamin Roberts, said there has been a significant decline in the number of South Africans who view democracy as the preferred form of government.
He said satisfaction with how democracy is functioning has also dropped sharply since the early 2010s, with no major political institution immune to the loss of public trust.
"We've also seen a general decline in satisfaction with democracy, particularly since the early 2010s, and it's a very sharp decline in the public's satisfaction with the way democracy is functioning."
Roberts said this growing discontent is also affecting voter participation, with some South Africans turning away from the ballot box.
He said those who do vote are increasingly using their votes to express dissatisfaction with service delivery and corruption.
"If they're unhappy with services, they want to come and register a political choice that's based on who they feel will deal with service delivery issues."
He adds that despite efforts by the IEC and political parties to mobilise voters, discontent continues to dampen participation in elections.