Democracy thrives when the systems that support and enable it are strong
Turnkey Electoral Innovations, Solutions & Services
KDBS has provided independent election management services to more than 8 universities in South Africa over the past 5 years. We understand the challenges, nuances and peculiarities of working at South African Universities and have developed, tried and tested systems and processes to respond effectively to such challenges.
We have conducted elections for central SRCs and campus SRCs for multi-campus universities. We have also managed elections for relatively smaller universities with single campuses.
Working with Universities, Faculties, Students and Student Organisations
SRC Elections
Student
Eligibility Verification
Protecting Democracy and Fairness
Student eligibility criteria are prescribed by SRC Constitutions and embedded in the rules and regulations of Universities.
Pursuant thereto, KDBS has developed systems to ensure that only eligible students participate in the electoral process. Our system enable students to check and privately verify their eligibility status so as to avoid embarrassment. Participation by ineligible students has the potential of discrediting an entire election.
Candidate Nominations
Credible Leaders
Verifying the eligibility of candidates happens via a number of checks that KDBS conducts to ensure that all candidates are legitimate students who should be participating in an SRC election. Interfacing with the university and its systems is unavoidable.
Voting and Voter Participation
Maximum Voter Turnout
Our experience has shown that making several channels available as options for participation by voters increases the credibility of the election process and its outcomes.
With COVID-19, we advocate strongly that universities adopt online systems and combine that with SMS, USSD and limited manual processes.
Election
Liaison
Committee
Ensuring Impartiality and Transparency
The Election Liaison Committee (ELC) is at the heart of transparency, independence, fairness and impartiality. KDBS has led numerous election liaison committees as independent election manager. Our participation on your election liaison committee will ensure that participation by assigned members is hassle free, especially given the reality and challenges brought about by COVID-19. We have the tools and experience to manage and lead ELCs.
Manifesto Launches
Fair Contestation
Manisfesto launches and campaigning by candidates and student organisations have been significantly crippled by COVID-19.
KDBS assists universities and student structures with online manifesto launches.
Counting and Results
Verifiable Results
With electronic voting, provisional results are issued immediately after the election. The need to transport ballots and store them overnight for counting is obviated completely. Once objections are considered and adjudicated, the final result is issued without any delay. Delayed results are a significant cause of instability emanating from an elections process.