The
Electoral Commission’s seminar on digital technology has called for optimal use
of digital platforms to encourage youth to participate in electoral democracy
ahead of the forthcoming local government elections.
The
seminar was initiated to engage various stakeholders on how digital tools and
technologies can inspire and drive young people to actively participate in
electoral processes. Held under the theme, ‘Digital Democracy:
Leveraging Digital Technology to Promote Youth Participation’, the event was
attended by representatives from various sectors, including political leaders,
academics, youth organisations, students and civil society.
Ms
Ntombifuthi Masinga, the Provincial Electoral Officer in KwaZulu Natal said
research continues to show a decline in voter participation among young people.
She said the seminar, provided an opportunity to initiate robust conversations
that could translate youth digital activism into active participation in
electoral processes.
Professor
Upasana Gitanjali Singh, academic leader in Information Systems and Technology
at the University of KwaZulu Natal said the participation of young people in
electoral democracy can be strengthened if institutions invest in digital
innovations.
Professor
Singh said today’s youth did not experience democracy the same way their
parents did.
“The
story of South Africa’s democracy has always been one of adaptation,
innovation, and resilience. From the ballot papers of 1994 that represented
newfound freedom, to the digital dashboards of today that reflect real-time
results, our democratic institutions have always evolved in response to
society’s needs. Today, the need before us is digital transformation,an
imperative driven not only by technological advancement but by the expectations
and behaviours of our citizens, especially our youth.
Young
people born in the 2000s and 2010s do not experience democracy in the same way
their parents did. They live online. They consume news online. They engage with
institutions online. And increasingly, their expectations of
government—responsiveness, transparency, convenience, are shaped entirely by
their digital experiences. For this reason, digitalisation is not simply
a technical upgrade. It is a democratic necessity. If democracy does not
migrate into the digital spaces where young people already exist, then
democracy risks losing an entire generation of participants,” she said.
Thabile
Mdluli, from the Centre for Community Development South Africa (CCDSA) and
Bayanda Gumbi from Luma Learn echoed Sing’s sentiments and also encouraged
organisations to meet young people where they were – on digital platforms.
“Voting
should be an everyday conversation, that should be held by all of us in our
different capacities to ensure that young people are always well informed and
know how to tackle key issues that affect them,” said Mdluli.
“Whoever
owns our attention, owns our focus,” said Gumbi.
Josias
Pila, Director of Intergovernmental Coordination and Stakeholder Management at
the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said bridging the
digital divide will enable meaningful participation of young people in
elections and civic life.
The
Commission has, over the years, used various digital platforms including
Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and WhatsApp to interact with followers and has
about 500 000 followers across these platforms. The Commission will in 2026
introduce its own podcast platform and an improved WhatsApp channel to interact
with voters, the media and other stakeholders.
Singh
said the Electoral Commission’s online voter registration portal was one of
many digital innovations necessary to encourage youth participation in
democratic processes. Voters can register or update their details online on https://registertovote.elections.org.za/
“Registering
to vote used to require physical presence at a station, access to transport,
and awareness of registration weekends—barriers that disproportionately
affected young people who were studying far from home, frequently moving
between residences, or living in areas where transport was costly.
“Today, a
young person can register in a few minutes using a smartphone. They can update
their address instantly when they move for studies or work. They no longer
depend on sporadic registration weekends or travel logistics. This shift is
profound: it takes voter registration from being an administrative burden to
being a seamless digital experience—something a young person can do in the same
space where they order food or communicate with friends,” said Singh.
As we
prepare for the 2026 Elections, citizens are reminded to register to vote in
voting districts of the wards where they are residents. A registered voter who
has moved since they last registered is urged to check and, if necessary,
update their address details to ensure that they are registered in a ward
linked to their new place of residence.
ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Ensuring free, fair and credible
elections
For media queries: Please contact Kate Bapela on
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