Masterclass 7: Empowering African Democracies: Role of Tech in Elections Workshop (OCL)

Format: Parallel Bootcamps/Masterclass Training

Venue: Huawei Room, Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct

Host: Open Cities Lab

Facilitator(s): Ella Alcock

Session Overview: 

Did you know they are calling 2024 the year of democracy in Africa, there will be over 20 elections happening next year. Elections are a way that we can harness our collective power to choose our representatives, hold leaders accountable, and shape the direction of our nation through democratic participation.

Join us for an engaging masterclass that delves into the transformative potential of MyCandidate, an innovative digital platform aimed at promoting transparent elections and informed citizen participation. We will showcase successful instances where MyCandidate has been effectively implemented during elections in various African countries. Our focus will then shift to the exciting concept of an open source white labeled MyCandidate product, allowing different African nations to tailor MyCandidate for their electoral processes. Come join us and find out how you can successfully build a MyCandidate platform for your country’s next elections.

Session Objectives 

Participants will be engaged throughout the session by brainstorming strategies for white labeling, and discussing the balance between open-source access and potential risks. We’ll address concerns about maintaining the platform’s integrity and avoiding misuse for partisan purposes. By participating, attendees will contribute to shaping a tool that empowers voters across Africa as well as leave with an idea of how to implement MyCandidate in their specific country’s electoral context and an understanding of the important role of tech in elections.