30 Aug 2018

Kgatleng Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) principal elections officer, Mr Gakenosi Motshwarakgole says it is crucial to follow the right procedures during national voter registration because it grants one participation in the general elections. 

Speaking during the training of temporary voters’ registration clerks for Mochudi East constituency on August 29, Mr Motshwarakgole said there were procedures to be followed when carrying out the national registration process.

He said voter registration clerks should first not leave the polling station unattended at any point and should report to the station daily and on time.

He said doing so grants voters an opportunity to register and to be part of the elections, adding that it would also exclude complaints during election day.

Mr Motshwarakgole said registration clerks should advice people to complete in triplicate “notice of rejection” and be given the original paper while the duplicates were for the supervisor and for themselves.

He said it was vital for registration clerks to ensure that they captured the right information as one mistake could lead to a disaster, and urged participants to keep their registration books in a safe place.

For his part, Kgatleng District commissioner, Mr Mompoloki Mochanang said the training for the registration clerks was crucial in the election process as it was a prerequisite for voting.

He said no one should be registered during the registration process without their physical presence at the polling station as there was no proof that they wanted to participate.

Mr Mochanang further appealed to the clerks to remain focused on their work and deliver the best service to voters.

He urged them to know their polling station codes and constituency numbers so that there were no hiccups during election day.

 Giving a vote of thanks, Officer Commanding District Officer No 12, Senior Supt Kevin Mookodi said registration clerks play a crucial role in making sure that Batswana register for the general elections scheduled for next year. 

He said no mistakes would  be tolerated as irregularities in the voters roll could cause instability in the country as happening in other countries. 

 Senior Supt Mookodi said registration clerks were expected to conduct themselves accordingly during the voter registration period, and that should they fail to comply with regulations there were penalties for offences committed.

He said anyone convicted of offences shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding P1 000 or both depending on the offence committed. 

Senior Supt Mookodi encouraged the clerks to stay focused on their work for the next two months, and to contact the IEC for any clarity when faced with challenges.

The national voters registration for the 2019 General Elections commences on Monday and ends on  November 11. ENDS