Johannesburg – Almost one in five young South Africans are undecided voters, according to a survey released on Monday.

Conducted by Pondering Panda, the study found that 18% of 2 212 people questioned said they had not yet made a decision on who to vote for in the 2014 election.

Fifty-six percent said they had made up their mind and 26% said they were not planning on voting.

The respondents were aged between 18 and 34, and were interviewed on their cellphones across South Africa.

Among the race groups, 21% of coloured people questioned said they were undecided. In comparison, 18% of blacks and 17% of whites gave the same answer.

Pondering Panda spokesperson Shirley Wakefield said the figures meant there was an important group of voters who had not yet been swayed by any political party.

“For the party that can inspire undecided voters and convince apathetic younger people to get out and vote, there could be big gains in 2014.”

– SAPA