The African National Congress’ national working committee (NWC) has discussed a range of possibilities, including electronic voting for next year’s local elections.

During its Monday meeting, the NWC said it discussed a range of responses on these and other challenges impacting next year’s electoral system. 

It includes a synchronisation of elections at national, provincial and local spheres of government; introducing elements of constituency-based representation at national and provincial spheres, consistent with the constitutional requirement for an electoral system that results, in general, in proportional representation; and the use of electronic voting. 

Shortly after the government’s implementation of the lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 in March, the Electoral Court postponed by-elections scheduled for 3 and 10 June, along with associated activities, including voter registration.

This also meant that by-elections could be held beyond the 90-day legislated period for the filling of councillor vacancies, but not beyond 120 days from the date of the order, the Independent Electoral Commission said in a statement.

Source: https://www.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/News/electronic-voting-being-considered-as-ancs-nwc-discusses-challenges-facing-local-elections-20200610