Traditional leaders in South Africa's North West province have endorsed innovative voting approaches like e-voting and i-voting. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) held consultations in the region to gather stakeholder input on implementing these systems in future elections. Leaders emphasized the need for education, infrastructure, and public trust to make such changes effective.
Traditional leaders in the North West province expressed support for the introduction of e-voting and i-voting during recent consultations by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). These discussions aim to explore ways to enhance electoral processes beyond the 2026 local government elections.
E-voting involves electronic means to assist in casting, counting ballots, and managing voting times, while i-voting enables voting via any internet-connected device, allowing participation outside traditional voting stations. The IEC is collecting views from various stakeholders to determine the feasibility of adopting one or both systems.
Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, Kgosi Thari Maotwe, highlighted the importance of education. “It will obviously call for robust information and education to everyone in the rural areas, including our elders,” he said.
Kgosi Kgotleng Montshiwa of Barolong boora Tshidi stressed infrastructure needs: “So long as they make sure there is infrastructure, there is data that can be made available to the rural communities.”
However, Kgosi Lesedi Motsatsi of Batlokwa ba Bogatsu pointed to trust issues: “The main thing is trust, and until we have trust in these technologies, we will always be doubtful whether this electioneering process is authentic or not.”
Dr Tshepang Molale, a local government expert at Wits University, urged broader consultation. “The argument is people are silent, not because they can’t speak, but because platforms are not created for them. So I think that it is important for public referendums, public forums to be held where people are going to express themselves on whether they prefer i-voting, e-voting, or both,” he stated.
These views reflect a cautious optimism among traditional leaders, balancing technological advancement with accessibility and credibility in rural settings.
