Latest news with #ElectoralCommissionAct
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
IEC says no decision taken on electronic voting
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa clarified the potential implementation of electronic voting, asserting that no final decision has been made. Image: Kamogelo Moichela/IOL The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reiterated on Tuesday that it has not taken a decision on the implementation of electronic voting, other than merely developing a document for a national conversation. Electoral officer Sy Mamabolo said they were taking measures to ensure excellence and robust systems in electoral administration. 'Within that broad package of measures we are taking, one of the considerations is the possible introduction of electoral voting. We don't see this as an isolated measure but as package of interventions, utilising technology to make electoral administration better,' Mamabolo said. 'There is no decision to implement electronic voting precisely because that decision, we consider it a national policy matter, which is within the purview of Parliament as a policy making institution of the country. 'We have not taken that decision neither are we empowered to make the decision,' he added. Mamabolo stated that it did not mean a national conversation should not be held. 'We need to have a conversation to hear what the general populace says so that we can empower Parliament at an appropriate moment and take a decision on an informed basis.' The IEC recently held a conference on electronic voting in Cape Town, where a discussion document was presented after the Human Sciences Research Council was tasked to do research on considerations necessary for implementing e-voting. The discussion document was aligned to its strategy to use technology to solve electoral problems as mandated by the Electoral Commission Act. The commission had commissioned a similar study in 2013, which Mamabolo described as a move to ensure the matter was always within their purview. In a presentation, the IEC took the MPs through the objectives of e-voting, benefits, matters to be considered and countries where it is practised and was stopped. Mamabolo said a detailed financial modeling will be required should South Africa opt for electronic voting system in comparison to the current model of voting. He also said there would be a need for a solid legal foundation to define and support e-voting to ensure whatever legal framework decision to support e-voting reality has constitutional plans. MK Party MP Zwelakhe Mthethwa noted that the IEC was preparing for e-voting when there were glitches in the 2024 elections. 'The IEC has not taken us into confidence to what had happened,' said Mthethwa. He said voters were uninterested in reforms, and raised concerns about the Home Affairs Department's plan to allow naturalised citizens to obtain smart IDs. EFF MP Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi emphasised the need for consultation voting and questioned why the IEC was exploring something that failed in some countries. 'What do you hope to achieve differently?' Mkhaliphi asked before noting problems that were experienced during the previous elections. IFP MP Zuzifa Buthelezi said the time for e-voting has not come in South Africa and pointed to electoral challenges and technology issues. His sentiments were echoed by EFF MP Nombiselo Sompa-Masiu, who said the country was not ready for e-voting. 'The IEC is supposed to start to resolve the challenges we have,' Sompa-Masiu said. In response, IEC commissioner Mosotho Moepya emphasised that they were not proposing anything nor have they decided on anything. 'We are raising our observations in a non-partisan manner. We say 'this is what exists, this system can do, and these are the challenges and benefits'. We are inviting inputs. There is no decision on the table,' Moepya said. Mamabolo stated that South African elections meet the international standards of being free and fair. 'That does not mean South African elections are free of challenges. Every election will be beset by some level of challenges.' Committee chairperson Zweli Mkhize said there would be a lot of electronic voting in South Africa in the near future. 'Between now and that time there is lot of gaps that need to be addressed. It is correct that the IEC should look ahead and explore all these ideas. There can't be a shift in policy unless informed by a decision taking into account the available current technology challenges we face and also various issue that are associated with it,' Mkhize said. [email protected]
Zawya
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Uganda: House irked by flaws in National Voter Registration Exercise
Legislators have raised concern over irregularities and alleged misconduct in the ongoing general update of the National Voters Register ahead of the 2026 general elections. The update exercise, conducted in accordance with Article 61(1)(e) of the Constitution and Section 20 of the Electoral Commission Act (Cap 176), began on Monday, January 20, 2025, and was initially scheduled to end on February 10, 2025. The exercise aims to register Ugandan citizens aged 18 and above who are not yet voters; facilitate registered voters wishing to transfer their voting locations; verify and confirm the accuracy of voters' particulars on the register, and allow students previously registered by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to update their details if they have since turned 18. However, following field assessments, stakeholder appeals, and other considerations, the Electoral Commission (EC) extended the process by seven days, to Monday, 17, February 2025. During a plenary session on Thursday,13 February 2025, chaired by Speaker Anita Among, MPs highlighted several issues, including intimidation, partisan behaviour by local council officials and security personnel, and extortion. Hon. Henry Maurice Kibalya, MP for Bugabula County South, criticised the lack of sufficient technical personnel and faulty registration machines. 'The EC has deployed only one personnel per sub-county to handle registration. In my sub-county, these individuals impose their own schedule on residents. If people miss them on a specific day, they lose their chance to register,' he said. Hon. Hanifa Nabukeera, the Woman MP for Mukono District, complained of the late arrival and early departure of EC officials. 'The officers show up after 10:00 a.m. and leave by 1:00 p.m. This leaves many people unable to register,' Nabukeera said. More members also raised concerns about extortion and partisan behaviour by security personnel and local officials. Hon. Jonathan Ebwalu, the MP for Soroti City West, accused a Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO) of asking for bribes and screening voters based on their political affiliations. 'There is a GISO in Soroti West Division, Oruma Joseph, who demands money to stamp forms. He also asks which candidate people support before signing their forms,' Ebwalu revealed. Hon. Allan Mayanja, MP for Nakaseke Central, highlighted cases of EC officials extorting money under the pretext of covering electricity costs for registration kits. 'These officers claim government is not paying for electricity, so they charge citizens to power the devices,' Mayanja alleged. Hon. Asha Kabanda, Woman MP for Butambala District, admitted being a victim of extortion herself. 'I have personally paid money to facilitate registration. Time is running out, and citizens are being tossed around to look for money. Some local council officials and security personnel collude to extort funds with impunity and arrogance,' she said. Kabanda also accused officials of discriminating against voters based on perceived political affiliations. 'They collect forms in bulk from people who pay them but refuse to assist those they believe will vote against their preferred candidates,' she revealed. Hon. Nathan Twesigye, the MP for Kashari County, criticised the EC for failing to provide adequate equipment. 'Since 2010, the EC has sent one computer per parish for registration. This time, they have sent only one computer per sub-county, and even those are defective,' he said. He further questioned the independence of the EC. 'According to Article 62 of the Constitution, the EC is supposed to be independent. However, I have learned that the computers being used are borrowed from NIRA. How can an independent commission rely on borrowed equipment?' Speaker Among pledged to inform the EC Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, about the issues for prompt resolution. 'Let us not just lament - where there is criminality, action must be taken,' she added. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
