Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC)
By Thabo Mosia
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) Chief Executive Officer, Sy Mamabolo, has underscored the need for a responsible and inclusive approach to adopting new voting technologies. The CEO was delivering remarks at the e-Voting Conference in Cape Town on Monday. The IEC is hosting a groundbreaking national dialogue on the future of voting in South Africa from 10 – 12 March 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. This three-day conference will launch South Africa’s first Green Paper on e-Voting, bringing together voices from across society to shape how South Africans might vote in future elections.
Addressing the Digital Divide
Mamabolo acknowledged the challenges posed by the digital divide, particularly in rural areas with limited access to broadband connectivity. He emphasized that while digitalization is becoming more prevalent, a significant number of South Africans still have limited access to technology. “While digitalisation is becoming more prevalent in our daily lives, we must acknowledge that some portions of our country continue to have limited access to broadband connectivity, particularly in rural areas. In our discussion here, let us not be oblivious that a significant number of South Africans still have limited access to technology,” Mamabolo stated.
Global and African E-Voting Experiences
The CEO highlighted that countries such as Estonia, Switzerland, Brazil, and India have implemented or tested e-voting systems, while others have paused or abandoned such initiatives due to concerns related to security, costs, and reliability. In Africa, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have explored e-voting, but challenges have hindered widespread implementation. Mamabolo noted that common delays or factors halting the implementation of e-voting in many countries are largely related to security concerns and affordability.
IEC’s Preparedness and Public Engagement
The IEC has already integrated technology into its processes through initiatives such as an online voter registration system, allowing citizens to register or update their details remotely. Mamabolo emphasized the importance of engaging with the public and key stakeholders to ensure that any transition to e-voting is both transparent and widely accepted. “As the Commission, we encourage conversations, discussions, and lively debates among South Africans from all walks of life on this matter, as we have seen happening in some social media platforms recently. Such national conversation is essential because elections are a public enterprise that belong to all citizens of our country,” he said.
Prior Work Conducted on E-Voting
Mamabolo mentioned that discussions on e-voting commenced back in 2013. The Electoral Commission has carried out several investigations into this subject, aiming to learn from the global experiences of countries that have either successfully or unsuccessfully tried to implement e-voting. The IEC has explored issues such as available technologies, costs, security/reliability, public trust, existing tech infrastructure in South Africa, and policy options. It has identified the need for thorough public dialogue on the feasibility, potential benefits, and risks associated with e-voting.
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