By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo says its too early to introduce electronic voting (e-voting) in South Africa.
The IEC briefed the media in Centurion on Wednesday on its plans and preparations ahead of the much-anticipated local elections.
The commission recently held an e-voting conference where it looked at the feasibility of moving from paper-based elections to electronic.
Mamabolo, said that while the conference was positive, it was still too early to overhaul the country’s electoral system.
A discussion document released at the conference outlines the constitutional, legal, and policy frameworks that must guide any possible rollout.
The document also examines available e-voting technologies, their costs, and the attitudes of stakeholders and marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities and rural voters.
While e-voting may improve convenience and transparency, Mamabolo noted it is not a magic bullet for voter apathy.
He also cautioned against assumptions that technology would automatically cut election costs. “A thorough analysis of the cost associated with e-voting must be undertaken. It must not be accepted as fact that e-voting would reduce the cost of administering elections.” Mamabolo said.
Mamabolo stressed that the discussion is exploratory. “The Commission has not yet made a decision on the use of e-voting, and it is certainly not contemplated for use in next year’s municipal elections,” he said.
He said the Commission is now entering a six-month engagement period “to receive views from stakeholders, voters, and interest groups. These submissions will enhance and inform the final policy document on e-voting.”
The process will conclude at the end of September, followed by a review of submissions and policy drafting for Parliamentary and executive consideration.
Mamabolo highlighted key lessons from the conference.”Public trust is key in the successful adoption of e-voting. It is thus exceedingly important that the process is both accessible and inclusive.”
He added that successful e-voting systems require robust, reliable technological infrastructure, including secure servers, stable power sources, and reliable internet connectivity.
Implementation of e-voting, Mamabolo said, must help the country transcend some of its institutionalized challenges. “For example, the digital divide, low levels of internet penetration in certain social settings, illiteracy, and accessibility for persons with disabilities.”
He added that e-voting must also enhance the efficiency of electoral administration. “It must enhance transparency in elections and trust in electoral outcomes, as well as improve voter convenience, “he said.
Mamabolo confirmed that they had already begun preparations for the next general elections of the municipal council.
He said the commission will assess to ensure that the boundaries of its network of 23, 292 voting districts are aligned to the wards.
“In instances where, as a result of the demarcation of wards, voting districts no longer accord to the wards, the Electoral Commission will undertake projects to communicate and re-register the affected voters to ensure that they are registered inwards of ordinary residence,” he said.
He said the upcoming local government elections should be held between November 2, 2026, and January 30, 2027.
Mamabolo also announced that the Commission will host the inaugural Symposium on Political Funding in Durban on 18 and 19 June, four years after implementing the Political Funding Act.