Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber has stressed that the adoption of electronic voting in South Africa should lead to clear improvements in the voting process and experience.
Speaking during a conference hosted by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) in Cape Town, he highlighted that any digital system must be more efficient than the current paper-based method, reducing queues and making voting more accessible.
The conference is focused on exploring the potential benefits, challenges, and global experiences related to electronic voting. Schreiber noted that the discussions should remain centred on the needs of the electorate, cautioning against implementing technology that fails to serve the public effectively.
He warned that voter confidence is crucial to a healthy democracy, and any system that causes frustration or discourages participation could pose a risk to democratic engagement. With that in mind, he urged stakeholders to prioritise user experience in all future developments.
Schreiber also pointed to the Department of Home Affairs’ ongoing digital transformation and the planned introduction of a digital identity system by 2029. He said these advancements are expected to support and enhance the IEC’s operations.
He concluded that while digitalisation is important, it should not be pursued for its own sake. Instead, it must be used as a tool to improve service delivery, strengthen security, and ensure that citizens feel confident and satisfied when interacting with government systems.
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