The event aims to facilitate an informed national dialogue on the feasibility and policy implications of electronic voting in the country. This conference serves as an opportunity for South Africans to initiate steps that will shape the future of voting in the nation.

Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and Electoral Authorities from countries that have implemented e-voting technologies will present their insights during the conference. The event is expected to provide a comprehensive understanding of the various e-voting systems used worldwide and their respective successes and challenges.

IEC Chairperson, Mosotho Moepya, highlighted the significance of the conference by recalling a similar event held in 2013.

"In 2013, we hosted an international e-voting conference in SA. It was here in Cape Town. At that point, we looked at the entire world to say who in the world is using electronic voting and what type of electronic voting is that. And so 10 years later, almost 12 years later, we are back here, we have brought in countries that have used it, countries that have stopped using it and we are saying what do South Africans also say about it," Moepya said.

Moepya also emphasised that the Electoral Commission is exploring the possibility of e-voting for the future, but not necessarily for next year's local elections. "We are not reacting to a local government election that is coming in 2026. We know that there is a lead time that must be taken to appreciate, to have a discussion and to settle e-voting in our country. So we are not doing this with 2026 in mind," Moepya added.

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--