BY: Saneliso Mlambo
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa will host a national dialogue next week to explore the future of electronic voting in the country.
The event, set to take place from March 10 to 12, 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, aims to engage stakeholders, including government officials, technology experts, and the public, in discussions about the feasibility, security, and implementation of e-voting.
IEC CEO, Sy Mamabolo, emphasized that the dialogue would explore how digital innovations could enhance the electoral process, ensuring accessibility, security, and cost-effectiveness. The conference will feature expert panels, technology demonstrations, and opportunities for public input. Topics will include the security of e-voting systems, potential challenges, and how e-voting could improve voter turnout and engagement.
This initiative follows the IEC’s previous steps toward modernizing the electoral process, such as the implementation of electronic voter registration in the 2021 local government elections.
The upcoming conference will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of South Africa’s voting systems, positioning the country to potentially adopt more advanced voting technologies in future elections.