23 Mar 2017

Principal elections officer, Mr Segopotso Sakwape says they have taken the decision to use schools and government buildings as polling stations in the next coming general elections.

Giving an update on the polling station review during the party liaison committee (PLC) recently, Mr Sakwape, who is also Serowe PLC chairperson, said that time was ripe to utilise resourced facilities as polling stations.

Mr Sakwape revealed that the decision was taken after learning from past elections that certain facilities lacked basic amenities such as toilets, water and electricity.

As a result they decided to use primary and secondary schools and some government offices as they have necessary facilities and are safe.

For appreciation by members of communities, Mr Sakwape appealed to PLC members to spread the word on changes and the motivating factors.

However, he conceded that distance would be a negative factor in the new arrangement.

The chairperson also reiterated the importance of electronic voting machines as has been clarified by the EVM coordinator, Mr Gabriel Seeletso.

He reiterated that the introduction of the EVM was to speed up the election process and ridding spoilt votes.

He decried low turn up by Batswana in registering for elections, but made a plea to them to ensure they registered in large numbers for 2019 general elections.

He warned that as stated before, there would be only one registration.

Acting deputy district commissioner, Ms Opelo Gabatshwane pleaded with the public to embrace changes in the voting system.

She said people should wait for 2019 and see what it holds for them.

However, Ms Gabatswane warned that change by its nature would unsettle some people, but appealed that people accept them. ENDS