An analysis of the adoption of e-voting system at the University of Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Abstract

This paper analyses the adoption of e-voting systems at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) during the 2018 Student Representative Council (SRC) election. The paper used in-depth interviews with Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) officials and the university electoral committee. The study adopted a case study method. The trust theory was adopted as the theoretical framework for this study. The study found that an e-voting system was not adopted during the election because of the students’ lack of trust in the IEC and university electoral committee and their negative attitude and belief regarding the e-voting system. Despite the rejection of an e-voting system, the outcome of the SRC election was not influenced by any political parties. The election was successful because of the high level of voter education performed and the competencies of electoral officers demonstrated during the election. However, the paper recommends the adoption of an e-voting system in the future based on the authenticity, reliability, security and completeness of an e-voting system.