Session

Objectives

• Assess the costs: Discuss the financial implications of adopting digital technologies in elections, including the initial investment, maintenance costs, and potential hidden expenses.
• Examine the benefits: Explore the advantages of digital technology in enhancing election transparency, reducing electoral fraud, improving voter access, and streamlining electoral processes.
• Identify challenges: Highlight the challenges and risks associated with digital elections, including cybersecurity threats, the digital divide, and the potential disenfranchisement of marginalized communities.
• Share best practices: Provide a platform for sharing successful case studies and lessons learned from African countries that have implemented digital technologies in their electoral processes. 
• Foster collaboration: Encourage dialogue and collaboration among African countries, international organizations, and tech companies to support the effective and equitable use of digital technology in elections.

Key discussion topics

• Cost analysis of digital elections: Understanding the financial burden of implementing and maintaining digital election systems.
• Technological benefits: Evaluating how digital technology can improve voter registration, voting processes, and election monitoring.
• Cybersecurity and data protection: Addressing the risks of cyberattacks and the importance of protecting voter data.
• Digital inclusion: Ensuring that all citizens, including those in rural and underserved areas, have access to digital voting technologies.
• Case studies: Learning from the experiences of African countries that have successfully integrated digital technology into their electoral processes.
• Future trends: Exploring emerging technologies and their potential impact on future elections in Africa.

Expected outcomes

• Increased awareness and understanding of the costs and benefits of using digital technology in elections.
• Identification of key challenges and potential solutions to ensure secure and inclusive digital elections in Africa.
• Enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to support the effective implementation of digital technologies in electoral processes.
• A set of recommendations for policymakers and election officials on best practices for adopting digital technology in elections.