10 Jul 2017

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale says it is incorrect that in the course of his response on the deliberations on the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the context of the NDP 11 presentation he had said “Form Y” in the schedule of the Electoral Amendment) Act, 2016, constitute a voter verification.

Responding to a question in Parliament recently, Minister Molale instead made reference to Section 70A (1) which talks about verification of electronic vote and as such, referred the House to Hansard No. 187 of  March  14, 2017.

Mr Molale said the above was said in light of “some Honourable Members” concern that the law as amended did not make provision for some form of verification of electronic votes.

He said in view of the members’ lack of appreciation of what was actually said by him at the time, he did not find it necessary to respond to the rest of the question.

MP for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse had asked the minister to explain his response on the deliberations on the National Development Plan 11 that “Form Y’ of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2016 constituted a voter verification and whether he obtained legal advice in respect of this position/interpretation of “Form Y”, if so from whom.

Mr Keorapetse also wanted the minister to explain when the advice was obtained and if a copy of the advice can be availed to the House. ENDS