No politicians at registration

The season for politicians to herd people into the voting abattoir is here. The constitution would have been far better if it had made it clear that only the IEC is responsible for encouraging people to register to vote.

If voter registration was the sole province of the IEC and off-limits to political parties - I believe more people would be willing to register, and it would be safer.

We have already heard of scenes that suggest things will get out of hand.

For example, a certain opposition leader and premier was heckled off stage while giving a welcoming address to the state president.

I believe we are in for a turbulent season.

In many regions , the relationship between a community and their political leadership are frosty.

Think of how a certain premier told the protesting community that her party did not need their "dirty" votes.

The arrival of the EFF means that violent clashes are in the offing in some parts of the country.

EFF rallies already led to violent skirmishes on university campuses.

The above factors discourage people from registering to vote because their safety at the registration venues is not guaranteed.