The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has launched a six-month national consultation process to gather feedback on the potential introduction of electronic voting (e-voting) in the country.
Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said the initiative aims to gather insights from voters, political parties, interest groups, and civil society organisations to shape a comprehensive policy on e-voting.
“Public trust is central to the success of e-voting. That’s why it is critical that the process is open, inclusive and accessible to all South Africans,” Mamabolo said on Wednesday.
While no decision has yet been made on the implementation of e-voting, Mamabolo emphasised that the Commission is carefully weighing its feasibility, taking into account South Africa’s unique social and infrastructural landscape.
He pointed out that successful e-voting systems depend on secure and reliable technological infrastructure -- ranging from servers and power supply to stable internet connectivity. Moreover, any system adopted must bridge the country’s digital divide and consider challenges such as low internet penetration, literacy gaps, and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
“E-voting should not only enhance convenience and administrative efficiency, but it must also strengthen transparency, public confidence in electoral outcomes, and broaden participation across demographics.”
However, Mamabolo cautioned against assuming that digital voting would automatically increase voter turnout.
“Those who have opted out of the electoral process because they feel it lacks value are unlikely to be swayed simply by a new voting platform,” he explained.
Cost is also under scrutiny. Mamabolo stressed that a thorough cost-benefit analysis is essential and warned that e-voting may not necessarily lead to cost savings in the administration of elections.
The announcement follows the IEC’s hosting of an international conference in March this year, which brought together global experts and stakeholders to explore the feasibility of e-voting in South Africa.
READ | IEC CEO calls for responsible, inclusive approach to e-voting in South Africa
A comprehensive discussion document was launched at the event, outlining the constitutional, legal, and technological considerations for such a transition.
Key topics addressed in the document include:
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The rationale for introducing e-voting in South Africa;
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Constitutional and legal requirements;
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Available technologies and their cost implications;
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Public perceptions and stakeholder concerns, and
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Insights from other countries’ experiences — both successes and failures.
Political party registration
In a separate development, Mamabolo also provided updates on the state of political party registration in the country.
He revealed that South Africa currently has 609 registered political parties - 383 at the national level and 226 registered at either the provincial or municipal level. However, many of these parties are inactive.
“The Electoral Commission, as the official registrar, is obliged to maintain the integrity of the party register,” Mamabolo said.
In February, the IEC issued written notices to 192 parties, indicating its intention to cancel their registration due to inactivity. Parties without representation in municipal councils, provincial legislatures, or the National Assembly are required by law to periodically confirm their continued existence.
“Removing inactive parties from the register not only ensures a cleaner political landscape,” Mamabolo explained, “but also frees up names, logos, and other identifiers for new and aspiring political movements.” - SAnews.gov.za
