The Electoral Commission has released three sets of mobile applications (Apps) to enhance voter education and information ahead of the May 7 elections.<\/p>\n
The electoral body said that the apps are part of an effort to provide voting information to the masses on the devices that the majority of people still use.<\/p>\n
The first set of apps provide information on the elections through mobile devices, including both smartphones and tablets.<\/p>\n
The information made accessible on these mediums include:<\/p>\n
The apps can be downloaded free from all major app stores on the following platforms: Android, BlackBerry, Apple, Windows 8 and Symbian.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, people casting their vote will not be allowed to take ‘selfies’ in the ballot booth or of their ballot papers during Wednesday’s elections, the IEC said on Sunday.<\/p>\n
“It is an offence to take and\/or publish photographs which reveal a person\u2019s vote on a ballot paper. Upon conviction, offenders will be liable to a fine or a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year,” said Independent Electoral Commission of SA spokesperson, Kate Bapela.<\/p>\n
She said that, while it was not viable to take away all voters’ cellphones as they entered the booths, the organisation asked people to respect the law.<\/p>\n
Bapela said there had been instances of overseas voters taking such photographs as well as apparent social media campaigns promoting the action.<\/p>\n
“Voters may take photographs of themselves outside the voting station and of their inked thumbs to show their participation.”<\/p>\n
The IEC said that a further set of applications launched are APIs (Application Programming Interface) which will give the media, political parties and all interested stakeholders automated real-time access to election data and information using their own apps on any online platform of their choice.<\/p>\n
ANC mulls Information Ministry: report<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n