03 Aug 2015

Residents of Lesenepole/Matolwane have chosen Lesenepole as the name for their village through a secret ballot over the weekend.

Those in favour of Lesenepole garnered 1 278 votes while those for Matolwane got 504 votes. Eight ballots were rejected because they were wrongly marked.

Central District commissioner, Ms Thobo Mapitse thanked residents for cooperating with election officers, adding that the election process went smoothly.

She said all those who were eligible to vote managed to vote without any problems. 

She said although there were long lines at the kgotla in the morning, they managed to finish in the stipulated time.

Ms Mapitse commended residents for their patience as they were expected to cast their votes on July 27, but instead the High Court ordered that they be allowed to register first.

She said the names of those who registered to vote were released on July 29, and that all enquiries pertaining to the elections were resolved on July 30.

Ms Mapitse noted that some residents did not manage to register because they did not have identity cards.

The government, she added, was compelled to hold such elections because the High Court had ordered that they be held.

She said the court ordered in 2006 that the elections be held, but that there were some delays. 

She said various possible solutions were looked into to bring the matter to an end, but that they did not work hence the elections. 

The district commissioner stated that the results would be sent to the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development for the necessary steps to be taken. Ends