Technology use on the rise in South Africa’s municipal elections

Political parties have made use of digital technologies to campaign and register voters and candidates for upcoming municipal elections in South Africa. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), for example, had a portal for electronic registration. A tweet by EFF Commissar Mbuyiseni Ndlozi explained the process of voter registration on the portal. Parties have also featured digitalisation in their manifestos. In an address to the ruling ANC party, President Cyril Ramaphosa proposed new grants that would accelerate the uptake of digital ID. He also promised universal internet access, as well as digital infrastructure development throughout the country. The elections are slated for 1 November 2021.