The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in Mutale is appealing to the community to register with the IEC, so that they can participate in the local and national elections.

The IEC project coordinator in Mutale, Vuledzani Matodzi, said that the commission was concerned that "our community, especially the youth, are no longer interested in elections like before. In 1996, the IEC in Mutale municipality took position one in the province for having the highest number of people who were registered on our voter's roll. In the past elections, we also took first position for having the fewest spoilt ballots. That number has been going down every year and we are very concerned about that," said Matodzi.

Matodzi said their office had embarked on an outreach program where they went to schools, formal functions and churches to educate the community so that they can register to participate in the democratic processes of this country.

"Most of the people who are not registered with us are youths. We are now appealing to all community members, especially youths from the age of 15, to make sure that they start registering," said Matodzi.