17 Jun 2018

Party liaison committee members in Mahalapye Sub-district have been urged not to despair as they play a critical role in the dispensation of democracy and the electoral process.  

Addressing a party liaison committee meeting in Mahalapye on June 14, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chief information and communications officer, Mr Dintle Rapoo said the committee played an advisory role to the IEC. 

Mr Rapoo cited the idea to introduce help desks at polling stations as a brainchild of the committee. He said the help desk was hailed as a great development in the electoral process, and advised committee members to stay focused as a mediatory structure between the IEC and the community.

“To us you are very critical,” he said, adding that the dissolution of the committee would be a setback in the electoral process.

“We are aware of the positives that your volunteerism has done in relation to educating the community about the electoral process and we will do whatever is within our power to cater for you,” he said.

Mr Rapoo was responding to comments from some members who were of the view that their volunteerism was not recognised and argued for the dissolution of the committee.

One of the committee members, Mr Leepo Shadrack said members had long volunteered their services in educating the community on the processes of elections and contributing to the democratic process.  Mr Shadrack said failure to consider their request for an allowance was a sign that the committee was not of importance to the IEC.

IEC spokesperson, Mr Osupile Maroba had earlier said that liaison committee members  were critical to the IEC, and that funds permitting it was vital for them to receive allowances.  “We are aware of your plea and it was forwarded to the relevant authorities for consideration, but due to shortage of funds it had not been considered.”

Mr Maroba appealed to members to work hard in educating the community about the electoral process as the nation was preparing for a general election in 2019. 

Voter registration is scheduled for September 3 to November 11, and he encouraged all those eligible to register and vote in large numbers

 He said the IEC targeted all eligible voters.  Mr Maroba said the exercise called for a massive and inclusive publicity using all available platforms. “To all committee members, I appeal for your help in the campaign,” he said. He added that the commission would engage out of school youth to assist in the registration process. Ends