17 Sep 2019

Returning officers have been asked to base their decisions on the Electoral Act and the country’s Constitution when discharging their duties.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) principal elections officer in the South East District Ms Pelonomi Selemogwe-Kwaramba said on September 16 during the sensitisation seminar for prospective candidates, returning officers and senior police officers in Tlokweng.

Ms Selemogwe-Kwaramba said all decisions of the returning officers were legally binding, hence they should be inspired by the laws governing elections.

“The decision of the returning officer is final, be careful that you do what is within the law.  As such, any decision they take will be part of the election process and can only be challenged through a petition after the election,” she alerted.

She said there was no room for errors, adding that the IEC officers would be there to assist in times of need and asked the returning officers to familiarise themselves with the Act. She said the returning officers shall be in charge of all the electoral materials and must ensure that they were returned safely. Apart from the duties stipulated in the Act, the officers will carry other duties as instructed by the secretary. She added that all prospective candidates would have to be admitted by the commission before they being regarded as candidates.

Ms Selemogwe-Kwaramba said every candidate must be a Motswana aged above 18 years, having registered for the election and in possession of a valid identity card. She stated that an expired card or failure to produce an identity card leads to the rejection of nomination papers.

 She cautioned candidates that any person who made a false declaration was liable to a charge of a fee or imprisonment as prescribed by the law.

Ms Selemogwe-Kwaramba said prospective candidates ought to pay the stipulated fee of P100 for a council seat and P500 for a parliamentary seat before being accepted as candidates by the commission. Assistant District Commissioner, Mr Boamogetswe Monyena said the sensitisation seminar was important as it informed both the prospective candidates, election officers, the police and others on what was expected of them during nomination.

He emphasised that the nomination process was important to avoid last-minute disappointment and confusion.The seminar was attended by, among others, political party representatives and prospective independent candidates from Tlokweng constituency. ends