IEC launches election Apps
The Electoral Commission (IEC) has released three sets of mobile applications (Apps) to enhance voter education and information ahead of the May 7 elections.
The mobile Apps are part of an effort by the IEC to unlock the free-flow of electoral information on the information superhighway and bringing voting information to the masses on the devices that the majority of people still use.
The first set of Apps provides information on the elections through mobile devices such as smart cell phones, tablets, iPads and slates.
The information made accessible on these mediums includes the following:
* Voter information (registration status, voting station locations, special votes and out-of-country notifications);
* Election information (candidates lists, elections results, seat calculations and assignment);
* General information (frequently asked questions, contacts, etc.).
This mobile App can be downloaded free from all major Apps Stores on the following platforms: Android, BlackBerry, Apple, Windows 8 and Symbian.
From smart phones and tablets to most common cheaper feature non-touch phones such Nokia Asha 201 and older versions of Blackberry.
“As a measure of transparency and openness, voters will be able to access and follow the 2014 elections results real-time throughout the capturing process through their mobile devices from anywhere and anytime, from the first result to the last – including the final seat calculation and seat allocation.
“Voter will be able to join us and all stakeholders in journey of monitoring the correctness of what is capture and calculate the final results with us,” explained chief information officer, Libisi Maphanga.
The second App forms part of the IEC’s education campaign for young voters. The “IXSA” App is a 3D digital game which introduces first-time voters to the voting process in a fun, interactive and innovative way.
The game can be downloaded free from Android and Apple app stores and is also available to play on Facebook.
Links to the downloads are available on www.elections.org.za.
The game allows users to pick an avatar and then follow this character on “Election Day” – facing a number of challenges along the way which educate voters how, when and where to cast their vote.
Players earn points for how election-savvy they are and can compete against other South Africans by posting their scores on social media and challenging their friends to beat their score.
“This game is about making the voting process accessible to young people in a format they are familiar with – and in their pockets and on the move via their smart phones,” explained deputy chief electoral officer for Outreach, Dr Nomsa Masuku.
“Learning is best achieved when people are having fun and don’t feel like they are being taught. The digital gaming world is the perfect place to combine education and entertainment.”
The third set of applications are API’s (Application Programming Interface) which gives the media, political parties and all interested stakeholder automated real-time access to elections’ data and information using their own Apps on any online platform of their choice, opening the floodgates to information.
