File photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G
The South African Electoral Commission (IEC) said on Saturday that it was confident this year's elections could not be hacked by foreign adversaries as the country's voting and vote-counting process was done manually.
The IEC is responding to concerns from President Cyril Ramaphosa, who this week announced South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice – Israel's crimes against humanity against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. This was recognized as “plausible.'' Leading to a “regime change” attack on this country.
“The counterattack could also focus on domestic politics and election results as we pursue the agenda of regime change,” Ramaphosa said, speaking at a rally of the ruling ANC party in Boksburg, Gauteng province.
But IEC deputy elections director Masego Chebri warned it would be “foolish” to believe there would be no foreign interference during this year's provincial and national elections.
“But the saving grace is that our voting process is manual. We vote at the polling station, we count it at the polling station, we announce the results at the polling station. All this happens. [is done] in the presence of party agents and observers,” Chevri said.
He gave an update on the February 3-4 voter registration weekend at a media briefing in Centurion, Tshwane.
“Therefore, although we cannot 100 percent exclude the possibility of interference, we believe that our system is not exposed to any risk as no results or votes are transmitted during the day,” Chevri added. .
“However, we are working internally to strengthen our systems to minimize and reduce the risk of unlawful interference with the publication of results.”
Meanwhile, Granville Abrahams, IEC's National Elections Director, announced that for the first time, families of prisoners can now register on their behalf using the commission's online platform.
Abrahams said Article 24(b) of the Constitution states that inmates must vote in the district where they are incarcerated, and during the voter registration period in November 2023 and this weekend. The IEC added that it had registered 3,000 inmates after visiting 180 correctional facilities.
“It must also be added that prisoners do not necessarily carry identification documents with them wherever they are incarcerated.'' [documents] “I’m home most of the time,” he said.
“And obviously there is an option for families to register online at a cost. [ID documents] to [inmates]”
Chevri said 55,019 new voters had registered for this year's state and national elections with the help of more than 700 election workers working at polling places across the country. “We are working hard to achieve this goal.”
Chevri added that a total of 304,221 people visited the station on Saturday to change their voting precinct, check their status or become a new voter.
“This early turnout not only brings a positive tone to the registration period, but also serves as evidence that the people remain engaged in their country's affairs,” he enthused.
“We encourage voters who may have had a less than pleasant experience using our online platform to try again. This platform will be open 24 hours a day until the day the President declares Election Day. I will continue to do so.”
Chevri said the number of voters had surpassed 27 million, adding that the online registration platform “continues to deliver a return on investment” as more than 200,000 people have used it since November 2023 until Saturday's registration day. .
He said if a voter loses or misplaces their identity card, replacement documents are available at the Ministry of Interior.
“The Ministry of the Interior will keep its network of offices open.” [on Saturday and Sunday] help [that] National category. The Committee would like to express its deep gratitude to the Department for making public participation possible. [the] It’s their country’s problem,” he said.
“In this election, voters will not be able to vote outside of the precinct in which they are registered. [prior] Notify the Electoral Officer of your intention to vote outside your constituency and provide details of your other voting precincts. ”
Chebli said details for notifying electoral officers that individuals will vote outside the constituency they are registered will be made public after Ramaphosa declares an election date.