17.12.2025
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North West traditional leaders back new, innovative voting ways

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  • The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will enhance voting efficiency and inclusivity.

Traditional leaders in the North West say they are in support of the introduction of new and innovative ways of voting in South Africa.

This is as the IEC recently took its consultative processes on i-voting, and e-voting to the North West. It is gathering views of different stakeholders, to see it they can introduce either e-voting, i-voting or both, in future elections, beyond the 2026 local government elections.

E-voting is voting that uses electronic means to either aid or handle casting and counting ballots including voting time, while i-voting is a system which allow people to vote from any device connected to the internet.

This means people can vote outside of a designated voting station.

“It will obviously call for robust information and education to everyone in the rural areas, including our elders,” says Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, Kgosi Thari Maotwe.

“So long as they make sure there is infrastructure, there is data that can be made available to the rural communities,” says Kgosi Kgotleng Montshiwa of Barolong boora Tshidi.

“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,” says Kgosi Lesedi Motsatsi of Batlokwa ba Bogatsu

Local Government expert at Wits University, Dr Tshepang Molale says the IEC should consult the general public adequately.

“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,” says Dr. Molale

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