Prioritising Response-Ability in Digitisation of Electoral Processes in Africa

It is widely believed that technology can help solve global social problems. In democratic societies, citizens see technology as a means to uphold democracy by enabling active participation in the democratic process. However, despite the high expectations around technology and development, many developing countries still face democratic challenges. These challenges shape the political landscape, resulting in disillusionment, disappointment, and failures in democratic and public good processes, including the electoral process. This chapter makes a unique contribution by delving into the connection between intellectual property (IP) practices and the integration of digital technologies in democratic electoral processes. It specifically investigates how the prioritisation of IP by technology service providers can disrupt the socio-material relationships within democratic electoral processes and their outcomes. The strict boundaries associated with IP create an environment where the systems are controlled solely by technology IP owners, while the consequences of electoral processes are experienced by citizens. This raises questions about the accountability and reliability of digital technologies in facilitating democratic processes. Drawing on the parallels between Kenya’s general elections of 2017 and 2022, this chapter illustrates how IP practices form rigid boundaries, compelling technology owners to micromanage electoral processes, leading to tensions and potential conflicts. These findings can inform decision-makers on how to implement digital technologies and safeguard IP without compromising electoral processes or disrupting relationships in wider society.