18 Jun 2018

Mokungwane residents in Tswapong area have been urged to help the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to fight voter trafficking.

The IEC elections officer for Palapye, Mr Oaitse Thipe informed the residents during the Electoral Processes Workshop for Women held at Mokungwane recently, that voter trafficking could deny residents an opportunity to elect the candidate of their choice who understands the social and economic issues of Mokungwane.

He said after registration, voters’ rolls were made available for inspection by the public so that those with objections could make them.

He urged residents to always inspect the voters’ rolls after registration of elections to see that no strangers were registered under their plot numbers.

Mr Thipe said a person shall register for elections in a constituency of residence and if they had more than one residences in a constituency, they had to use the principal residence.

He further informed them that any person who knowingly registered at a polling station he is not entitled to be registered or gives false information to a registration officer shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.

He also urged them to register for elections in high numbers.

Furthermore, Mr Thipe informed women at Mokungwane that they too could stand for elections if they so wished provided they met the requirements.

He also commended women for voting in high numbers, urging them to encourage their male counterparts and the youth to take part in elections.

He said the development of Mokungwane was upon them, adding that casting their votes would give them an opportunity to elect both council and parliamentary candidates of their choice to develop their village.

Regarding the amendment of the Electoral Act, Mr Thipe informed the residents that the Act was amended in 2016 to allow for the use of the Electoral Voting Machine instead of the usual Ballot Papers.

He said the Botswana Congress Party had approached the High Court contesting the constitutionality of the Electoral (Amendment) Act of 2016, therefore the IEC was still awaiting the judgment.

In addition, he said the Amalgamated Local and Central Government and Parastatal Workers Union leader; Mr Johnson Motshwarakgole had lodged a similar case.

He said those cases had effects on the preparations for the 2019 general elections.

He however urged the residents to register for elections despite the setback.

The voter registration exercise is scheduled for September 3 to November 11.

He said for one to register for elections they should be citizens of this country aged 18 years and above and should be in possession of a valid identity card. Ends