15 Oct 2019

Polling staff and police officers who will be engaged in the general elections have been advised to go by the book when conducting the elections.

Addressing staff that included returning officers, presiding and election officers during an orientation workshop recently, Francistown-based principal elections officer, Mr Nyanga Nyanga said everything should be done according to the law.

Mr Nyanga urged the officers to be neutral and ‘not give any assistance to a voter except those that are physically handicapped,’ as per the Electoral Act.

“Any voter who is handicapped  shall be assisted by the presiding officer inside the polling booth in the presence of the person who brought the voter to cast his or her vote,” he said, adding that ballot papers were Braille compatible.

Mr Nyanga advised officers not to approach, speak or interfere with a voter from the time they had been given the ballot paper to when they had completed voting.

He said if a voter took unnecessarily too long, the presiding officer may enquire without going to the ballot.

He said on election day all presiding officers would have the power of oath for any objection or declaration purposes, adding that false statements were punishable by law and that voters should be warned accordingly.

Mr Nyanga said a voter who spoiled their ballot paper or had it incorrectly marked was permitted to deliver such a ballot paper to the presiding officer and obtain another one to cast a fresh vote regardless of how many times.

He advised media practitioners to promote the sanctity of the voter by not interfering with the process by taking pictures.

He said any person misconducting themselves or failing to obey lawful orders maybe removed by the police by order of the presiding officer.

Mr Nyanga noted that the person so removed shall not be allowed to enter the polling station again until such a time that the presiding officer felt he/she could now vote.

He further stated that if proceedings were disrupted by riot or violence, the presiding officer shall secure all election materials and adjourn the process of polling until later in the day or the following day.

The adjournment shall be notified to the returning officer who would then inform the secretary of the commission.

He also informed the gathering that Boipuso Hall in Gaborone has been designated as the result centre for the election, and that international and local media and other stakeholders would be analysing the results at the centre.

Meanwhile, the returning officer for Francistown West, Mr Lopang Pule, who is also the city clerk of Francistown, underscored the importance of following the law to the letter.

He told the poll staff that October 19 was the date for advanced voting for those who would be engaged in the elections.

Mr Pule advised them to guard against election offences that include canvassing for votes by eligible candidates as well as persuasion of any voter not to vote.

He said some people may shout party slogans whilst others may be in possession of offensive weapons or wearing clothes having decorations calculated to intimidate voters. ENDS