19 Dec 2016

Coordinator of electronic voting system, Mr Gabriel Seeletso, has informed Sowa Town civic leaders of their duty to sensitise electorates on the new electronic voting machine (EVM) .

Addressing them during a full council meeting in Sowa recently, Mr Seeletso said although it was the duty of Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) representatives of the people should take lead in ensuring that their electorates were well informed about the new changes and how the machine worked.

 “Our constituencies overlap therefore we both have a duty to promote civic and voter education among Batswana by providing accurate information on the electoral processes and democracy in general,” he said.

He further highlighted that together with IEC, councillors had a partnership through which cooperation and collaboration should be visible between them for the good and benefits of the electorates.

Mr Seeletso nonetheless advised them to inform themselves adequately about the latest developments so that they would be in a better position to answer any questions their constituents have on any issues related to the new amendments.

He further added that the IEC was addressing them as civic leaders to sensistise them that they will be affected by some reforms directly such as the increased nomination fees and fines as well as the new requirements for candidates supporters.

Appreciating the work of the IEC, councillors felt the processes of voter education on the new electronic voting system should have started by piloting the machine during some of the bye elections.

They said that way it will give the voters a glimpse of what was being talked about and at the same time it will enable the commission to get feedback from the voters on areas of improvement. ENDS