ah@radioislam.co.za<\/a>
\n<\/u>5 May 2025 | 13:00 CAT
\n3 min read<\/p>\nThe Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has opened the door to a potentially digital future for South African elections, launching national discussions on the feasibility of e-voting. A three-day international conference in March sparked the start of this conversation, with public consultations now underway.<\/p>\n
With long queues, low voter turnout, and increasingly complex ballot papers, the move to electronic voting may seem inevitable in a world rapidly embracing digital solutions. But IEC Gauteng Provincial Electoral Officer, Thabo Masemula, says that it is more complicated than that. He told Radio Islam that there are a number of factors, considering the challenges that arose in the 2024 national and provincial elections.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou also know that the ballot papers in South Africa are becoming lengthier and more complex, especially because now we have diverse participants, not only political parties, but independent candidates as well,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Masemula noted the IEC is not rushing the decision but rather engaging the country in an open conversation about what e-voting could look like, and what challenges lie ahead. \u201cIn March, we hosted an international conference to look at the feasibility of introducing electronic voting in South Africa. However, there are other things that we need to consider before we arrive at that decision,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Among those considerations are the legal framework, telecommunications infrastructure and the country\u2019s level of digital literacy. \u201cFor instance, do we have the necessary legislative framework in place to facilitate electronic voting? What about issues of low digital literacy in the country, especially in rural areas? And what about the deficits of coverage in terms of telecommunications in South Africa?\u201d Masemula explained.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest concerns is cybersecurity. \u201cOne of the most serious issues of concern has to do with data security,\u201d he highlighted.<\/p>\n
Masemula said there is plenty that South Africa can learn from other countries. \u201cThere are countries in the world that are using electronic voting. For instance, in Brazil and India, they are using electronic voting. A country such as Estonia, for instance, they’re using Internet voting,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He explained that it\u2019s important to understand the different types of e-voting. \u201cE-voting can be categorised as poll-site voting, where you go to designated locations, such as voting stations, to cast your vote. And Internet voting allows voters to cast their votes anywhere, for as long as they have access to the Internet,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Namibia, a smaller country with fewer voters, has implemented e-voting, but not without hurdles. \u201cThey’ve experienced some challenges. But what is interesting is that a country like DRC, for the longest time, they’ve tested electronic voting, and I think it works for the environment,\u201d said Masemula.<\/p>\n
So, where to from here?<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cThe discussion will have to carry on, so that we engage and solicit as many views as possible,\u201d said Masemula. He outlined a timeline that includes public engagement sessions running until September. \u201cWe hope that there will be further submissions made by public stakeholders regarding this matter. And then we’ll finalize our draft policy document that will be presented to policymakers,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
But the IEC is in no rush. \u201cIt’s still a long journey that we have to undertake. We need to make sure that we build trust in the process. We address all the concerns,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
That includes updating legislation, improving digital literacy, ensuring local technology development, and safeguarding cybersecurity. \u201cWe need to build public trust first before we even arrive at the decision whether to implement or not to implement electronic voting in the country,\u201d stressed Masemula.<\/p>\n
LISTEN<\/strong> to the full interview with Ml Sulaimaan Ravat and Thabo Masemula, IEC Gauteng Provincial Electoral Officer, here.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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