Members of the Free State community of people with disabilities have expressed concerns over the lack of accessible information regarding electronic voting (e-voting). Their worries emerged during a consultation session hosted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in Bloemfontein, aimed at gathering stakeholder input on the potential introduction of e-voting in South Africa.
The session brought together political parties, civil society groups, and organizations representing persons with disabilities. While the IEC emphasized that e-voting could improve efficiency and inclusivity—particularly for voters with disabilities—some attendees raised fears about security risks and the need for greater education on the proposed system.
Al-Scam, a member of Devsa (likely an organization representing deaf individuals), highlighted concerns about identity theft and the need for specialized training. “We deaf people need more workshops about this because nowadays, life is full of schemes,” he said through a sign language interpreter.
The IEC, however, assured stakeholders that e-voting machines could be designed to accommodate various disabilities. Proposed features include audio instructions for blind voters and braille-enabled interfaces. Provincial IEC officials also suggested that e-voting could boost youth participation, given their familiarity with digital platforms, while reducing long-term costs through reusable technology.
Despite these potential benefits, skepticism remains. The IEC plans to consolidate feedback into a green paper for Parliament, which will ultimately decide whether South Africa adopts e-voting. For now, disability advocates stress that more engagement is needed to ensure no one is left behind in the electoral process.
