Archive post. This message was broadcast by SAMNET on 7 May 2024, ahead of the 29 May 2024 national and provincial elections. It is published here as part of SAMNET’s advocacy archive. The survey referred to is closed. Background: SAMNET 2024 Election Survey.
SAMNET has completed its analysis of the 2024 Election Survey. Three insights stand out.
Insight 1 — The community votes, and intends to vote again
- 65% of respondents voted in the 2019 national or 2021 local government elections.
- 92% are registered to vote.
- 91% intend to vote in 2024.
On these numbers, participation is not the community’s weak point. The intention to vote is close to universal among those who responded.
Insight 2 — Gaza has moved votes
- 85% say a party’s position on Gaza affects their vote.
- 53% have changed the party they would consider since 7 October, based on that party’s support for Israel.
- Only 3% are still considering a party that supports Israel.
This is the sharpest finding in the survey. A foreign policy position has become a domestic voting determinant for a majority of respondents.
Insight 3 — But domestic delivery still leads
Asked what factors determine their vote, the top three all scored above 64%:
- Good Governance
- Service Delivery
- Safety, Security and Justice
Read together with Insight 2, the picture is a community that will not vote for a party whose international position it finds unconscionable — but which, among the parties that pass that test, decides on governance, delivery and safety.
Shared by the South African Muslim Network (SAMNET) in the interest of an informed and participating electorate.