IEC mulls e-voting while Douglas gears up for by-election

AS THE COUNTRY prepares for the 2026 local government elections, the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is considering the advantages and drawbacks of e-voting.

During a recent visit to Kimberley, IEC vice chairperson Janet Love said she believed South Africa was not yet ready to make the transition to e-voting.

“Once it becomes a reality, it would save costs in terms of paper and renting voting stations. E-voting is beneficial where there are language barriers, for the differently abled, and for braille readers, where audio facilities can be utilised. It will also assist those who live in far-flung areas. Technology may help during climate change, where there are floods and disasters,” she noted.

She added that digital voting could be tested during by-elections.

Love also pointed out that many voters in rural areas did not have access to reliable internet connectivity.

The deputy CEO of electoral operations, Masego Sheburi, stated that with an ever-growing ballot list, digital voting could become a necessity in the near future.

“With the increase of independent contestants, 95,000 candidates were contesting for 10,400 councillor seats during the 2021 local government elections across the country," Sheburi pointed out.

Douglas gears up for by-election

Meanwhile, local political parties are working hard ahead of a by-election in Ward 4 of the Siyancuma Municipality in Douglas, scheduled for September 3.

Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul commemorated Women’s Day at Bongani High School in Douglas on August 9. 

As part of the celebrations, members of the provincial government handed over R50,000 cheques to six women-owned businesses in Douglas on Saturday.

A pupil from Bongani High School, Andrew van Wyk, who earned a silver medal at the African Cross Country Championship in Namibia, also received a cheque for R100,000.