22 May 2019

Chobe District Council chairperson, Mr Paul Chabaesele, says the district has registered 9 256 voters compared to 8 942 in the 2014 general elections.

Councillor Chabaesele told a full council meeting recently that he was worried by the fact that despite the comprehensive publicity of the three voter registration exercises, people did not register in large numbers as anticipated.

For his part, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chief public relations officer, Mr Osupile Maroba said a total of 930 933 voters registered for the 2019 general elections countrywide compared to 825 582 in 2014.

He said the IEC continued to register independent candidates and according to the records, 170 candidates had already registered for the council while 17 registered for the National Assembly as at the last two weeks.

He indicated that in the 2014 general elections, a total of 254 candidates registered as independent council candidates and 24 registered for the National Assembly.

He, however, indicated that the 2019 registration of independent candidate was still on.

The commission was now engaged in publicity for the general elections, sensitisation of stakeholders and electorates until the day of elections, said Mr Maroba.

He indicated that the transfer of registered voters would be announced after the dissolution of Parliament while the nomination of candidates was expected sometime in September or October.

Mr Maroba reminded the councillors to help in the sensitisation of voters on the importance of the elections and the inspection of the voters’ roll.

He said some of the achievements of the IEC were increased youth participation in the general elections, citing 21, 29 and 40 per cent in 2004, 2009 and 2014 general elections respectively.

He said the commission reduced the number of election petitions from seven in 2009 to one in the last general elections and it managed to establish the Party Liaison Committee as a way of conflict resolution structure.

Mr Maroba said IEC faced challenges of voter apathy, vastness of the country, inadequate resources, language barrier in some areas, overwhelming number of independent candidates and the abuse of social media.

In his comments, Kazungula Newstance Ward councillor, Mr Abraham Sitali, complained of the delay in the announcement of election results, noting that South Africa had a larger population, but results were announced speedily.

Councillor Sharps Munihango commended IEC for a job well done in delivering a fair and democratic election since its establishment.

In response Mr Maroba said the system used in South Africa was different as they only elected the party, hence being faster. ENDS