Faculty of Management Sciences
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Item The use of internet-based technologies in elections management processes in South Africa towards the design of a framework : a case example of the Gauteng Province(2019-05) Maphephe, John; Balkaran, Rishidaw; Thakur, Surendra C.Over the past two decades, new technologies have played an increasingly integral role in the organization of elections around the world. A number of countries have turned to a variety of technological solutions in a bid to make elections more efficient and more cost-effective, and to strengthen stakeholder trust at each stage of the election cycle. On the other hand, the evolution of disparate modern technologies has proven that the introduction of technology comes with some risks, such as the malfunctioning of equipment, the contested integrity of machines, or exposure to hacking and lack of trust from stakeholders. In the context of elections, technology is used to achieve three objectives: (1) to ensure that all information produced during the elections process, particularly the election results and the elections roll, is correct, trustworthy and secure; (2) to generate a broad acceptance that the elections outcome is a true and fair representation of the citizens‘ will; and (3) increased administrative efficiency, reduced costs and strengthened trust among electioneering stakeholders. Hence, the aim of this study was to develop a generic framework to guide the effectiveness of Internet-based technologies in safeguarding elections management processes in Gauteng, South Africa. To achieve this, the study adopted an artefact model to improve integrated human and technology performance, exploring the existing literature in order to develop a framework comprising views and opinions of elections stakeholders. It employed a detailed Design science approach which makes use of a case-example strategy to collect data through a literature review, recorded observations, questionnaires, focus groups and expert reviews. The study, by design, is a mixed-method exploring both qualitative and quantitative approaches in the investigations. Consequently, the study adopted the multivariate regressive predictive modelling method and descriptive statistics for analysis. The study population consisted of 500 participants, comprising the Electoral Commission of South Africa1 (IEC), political parties, NGOs, media houses, government institutions, election observers and elections experts located in Gauteng. The study made use of the stratified purposive sampling of 385 voters as the representation of four geo-political areas of Gauteng. The main findings of the study pointed to a significant correlation between the use of Internet-based technologies and election integrity in Gauteng. An increase in usage of internet-based technologies results in greater election integrity and legitimacy, which also covers trust in the accuracy, completeness and reliability of information. Based on the results, the study developed four predictive models to estimate the integrity of elections outcomes with technology integration in elections. These models were validated and found to be relevant to the context of South African elections. Based on the descriptive statistics results obtained, this study recommends that an effective and efficient automated elections process, systematizing and standardizing observational methodologies, should be put in place to help improve the integrity of e-enabled elections. The most important currency is public trust, and manual ballot papers will remain the golden standard for any election in South Africa. The thesis submits that the foreseeable Internet-based technology future may well support automated, digitised elections procedures and processes in four key areas of elections processes, namely voter registration, voter identification, voting procedures and real-time results. Furthermore, the research concludes with specific implementation guidelines as well as areas for future research.Item Digital and interactive content production as part of Lesotho strategic development - A brief study on Lesotho working towards National colloboration for updated civil register and voter register in the spirit of improved service delivery(IEEE, 2014) Maphephe, John; Balkaran, Rishi; Thakur, Surendra C.Some say that the world is getting smaller, but I believe with those who say it is not. It just feels smaller, because modern technology helps overcome the distances. To be part of the modern world, with its advantages and obligations an identity is required. For the government to provide schooling, health services, and local government delivery services and to know who should be eligible to vote, it needs to know who you are. It also needs to know who are to pay taxes, do public service delivery and contribute to society in other ways. This is why many countries want to keep track of their residents; to know when they are born, when they marry or divorce and when they die. Decision-makers depend on sound and timely statistics for policy development, decision making and for programme monitoring and evaluation. In the present scenario, Information communication technology has added the impetus to the services provided by the Lesotho Government (GOL) since the implementation of Lesotho Government Data Network (LGDN). This paper will highlights the role of digital technology and interactive content for strategic development of Lesotho and the potential of Lesotho Government working towards national collaboration specifically for update civil register, census data and voter register..Item Digital and interactive content production as part of Lesotho Strategic Development : a brief study on Lesotho working towards national colloboration for updated civil register and voter register in the spirit of improved service delivery(IEEE, 2014-10) Maphephe, John; Balkaran, Rishi; Thakur, Surendra C.Some say that the world is getting smaller, but I believe with those who say it is not. It just feels smaller, because modern technology helps overcome the distances. To be part of the modern world, with its advantages and obligations an identity is required. For the government to provide schooling, health services, and local government delivery services and to know who should be eligible to vote, it needs to know who you are. It also needs to know who are to pay taxes, do public service delivery and contribute to society in other ways. This is why many countries want to keep track of their residents; to know when they are born, when they marry or divorce and when they die. Decision-makers depend on sound and timely statistics for policy development, decision making and for programme monitoring and evaluation. In the present scenario, Information communication technology has added the impetus to the services provided by the Lesotho Government (GOL) since the implementation of Lesotho Government Data Network (LGDN). This paper will highlights the role of digital technology and interactive content for strategic development of Lesotho and the potential of Lesotho Government working towards national collaboration specifically for update civil register, census data and voter register..Item Impact of information and communication technology presence on direct parliament debates and security of the future laws of Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho(Research Nexus Africa Networks, 2014-09) Maphephe, John; Balkaran, Rishi; Thakur, Surendra[1] Argued that [a] healthy and credible legislature is indispensable for representative liberal democratic governance. This representation involves consulting the represented, informing and making decisions as well as exercising influence on their behalf. However the legislative institutions of many African countries lack the effectiveness to either inform or interact with their constituents, resulting in unfortunate citizens-representative disengagement.Fortuitously technology such as mobile technology, online and applications, and (privately owned) radio stations have become promising tools to assist developing state by enabling direct access and participation. This technology is perceived helpfulness in enhancing the democratization process in such countries. The study reviews the ability of these tools towards building stable democracy and the practice of good governance in the context of the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.The year 2012 and 2014 in Lesotho will remain a historic time for Basotho people. Lesotho received a coalition Government as an outcome of the election results on May 2012. However, in 2014, Lesotho experienced a ‘partial Government collapse’ due to perceived lack of experience on how to manage such a coalition Government. The paper will examine how Lesotho can benefit from opportunities offered by digital technologies to access information quickly, by utilizing the pervasiveness of broadband and other networks. This provides exciting options and opportunities for the Lesotho Parliament to connect, operate more efficiently and be more open to the public. The questions will be “How make use of the convergence of these technologies provides the context for the delivery of the parliamentary strategic key goals? The paper will conclude by set of key strategic recommendations and immediate key tasks to be invoked as an action plan ready to work. This research paper draws from desktop review and literature search to examine the potentials of digital technology for re-engaging the electorate in the democratic Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho.