Ipsos study reveals voter alienation, low municipal trust, and a mixed appetite for polls as 2026/7 elections approach – regardless of a choice of more than 500 parties
The recent postponement and subsequent vote on the Budget Speech in the South African Parliament have intensified public scrutiny of the Government of National Unity (GNU). This delay not only raised questions about the GNU's stability but also heightened concerns about the country's economic outlook.
Currently, over a third (35%) of registered South African voters feel that no political party fully aligns with their views and opinions. This sentiment poses a significant challenge for voters as they grapple with their party choices in the upcoming national and provincial elections.
Looking at possible turnout scenarios, a lower voter turnout is definitely to the benefit of the ANC, as reported in previous Ipsos press releases about this topic. In fact, turnout will probably be the key variable in the election on 29 May 2024.
The year 2024 is notable for the large number of national elections planned worldwide. Seven out of the ten most populous countries will go to the polls during this year, namely Bangladesh, India, United States of America, Indonesia, Pakistan, Russia, and Mexico, with the result that almost half of the world’s inhabitants will have the opportunity to play a role in selecting the leadership of their countries going forward.
In the middle of the shortened and compressed election campaign for the local government elections, less than a fifth (18%) of adult South Africans indicated that they think the country is going in the right direction.
