17 Jun 2018

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has received accolades from the male community in Tlokweng where the commission engaged them.

The IEC has been holding consultative meetings with groups such as people living with disability, women, students and the youth.

However, the IEC South East District office recently resolved to have a stakeholder engagement meeting with men in Tlokweng.

The commissions principal elections officer, Ms Pelonomi Selemogwe-Kwaramba said the meeting was a success.

She added that the male community was grateful that the IEC had made efforts to reach out to them after feeling excluded for many years.

Ms Selemogwe-Kwaramba said the meeting exchanged ideas on issues such as the low turnout of men during elections as well as to solicit support for women in politics.

She also said men complained that they were sidelined although they had a role to play.

Furthermore, she said participants expressed worry over the electronic voting machine and opined that the issue should be sorted amicably as it had the potential to deter people from registering for the coming elections.

Ms Selemogwe-Kwaramba stated that during their consultative meetings, people continued to oppose the introduction of the electronic voting machine.

She stated that many were of the view that there was not enough time to consult about the machine, and they appealed that the elections should be held under the old Electoral Act.

The commission also met with the youth, faith sectors and community leaders in the area in connection with the 2019 election registration.

Ms Selemogwe-Kwaramba said the commission felt compelled to reach out to tribal leaders and faith sectors as many of the polling stations were in kgotla’s or churches.

She said community leaders played an important role in the election process hence they needed to engage them and make them aware of the coming voter registration.

Preparations are already underway for the registration process hence the commission is in the process of employing staff to assist with the exercise. ENDS