BY MFANUFIKILE KHATHWANE
EZULWINI- Leaders across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are urged to ensure that their countries’ regulatory frameworks and technological infrastructure are ready to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) for elections.
The call was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Pholile Shakhantu on behalf of His Excellency the Right Honourable Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini during the official opening of 27th Annual General Conference of the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries on December 2, 2025 at Ezulwini.
She emphasised the critical role of regulation and preparedness in adopting AI. “As leaders, we have a duty to ensure that our countries’ regulatory frameworks support the use of AI by enhancing transparency, mitigating biases, and safeguarding voter data integrity,” she said.
The Minister also acknowledged the risks posed by AI. “AI-powered hacking has already been used internationally to target voters’ rolls, results transmission systems, and government databases. Misinformation and deep fakes can spread faster than authorities can respond, sometimes leading to unrest and loss of trust. We must be vigilant to ensure AI protects our elections rather than destabilizes them,” Shakhantu warned.
Shakhantu noted that technology alone is not enough. “Information Technology institutions must be equally supported with the right backbone infrastructure, expertise, and networks to leverage AI effectively,” she added. She also highlighted practical benefits, including detecting duplicate registrations, optimising logistics, and reducing administrative errors, which can enhance the efficiency and reliability of elections.
Dorcas Dlamini, Principal Secretary at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, stressed that AI adoption must go hand-in-hand with public confidence. “Election Management Bodies must proactively engage citizens, building trust while deploying AI tools responsibly,” she said. Dlamini also underscored the importance of regional cooperation to establish common standards and share best practices for AI-enabled elections.
The conference, themed “Artificial Intelligence and Elections: Threats and Opportunities,” brought together election practitioners, AI experts, and SADC stakeholders to discuss how regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, and expertise can work together to make elections smarter, more efficient, and secure. Both speakers emphasized that AI must complement human oversight, ensuring informed decision-making remains central.
Shakhantu concluded with a call for unity and accountability: “To secure efficient and credible elections in the age of AI, we need collaboration as SADC Member Commissions. May history say that when the world entered the age of AI, the SADC region chose sovereignty, integrity, and unity.”
The conference sent a clear message: AI offers tremendous opportunities for electoral management—but only if leaders ensure proper regulation, technological readiness, and public trust.
#AIinElections #SADCInnovation #ElectionIntegrity #DigitalTransformation #VoterDataSecurity
(Courtesy Pic)
