16 Jan 2017

Tati West MP, Mr Biggie Butale has promised residents of Masukwane and Kgari  that they would be well drilled on how to use the envisaged Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) that will be used in the next general elections.

Addressing kgotla meeting in the two villages, Mr Butale, also Assistant Minister of Investment Trade and Industry assured the electorate that each battery of the EVM lasts for two days while elections take a day.

He also allayed their fears that the machines might be hacked, assuring them that such is impossible since they do not have any network connections.

“For something to be hacked, it should be connected to the Internet,” he said.

Mr Butale also stated that the machines would be convenient, assuring the residents that they would fall in love with them once they arrive.

Mr Butale also promised them that the Independent Electoral Commission would visit all villages across the country and teach the electorate how to operate the machines.

Residents of Masukwane and Kgari had earlier on expressed skepticism about the EVMs, expressed concerns that the machines might cause confusion and lead to unfair elections.

Mr Kumbulani William of Masukwane was worried that the machines might be hacked or votes forged to favour one party or sabotage another.

He also asked whether the machines would allow the voters to change their votes in case they made a mistake.

Ms Boikanyo Nchenje also from Masukwane, emphasised that since the machine would be computerised, people should be taught how to use it well on time and be given ample time to familiarise themselves with it.

She also questioned the innocence of those who would be assisting the electorate as well as the durability of the battery of the machines, wondering what would happen if it dies during the voting process. BOPA