28 Mar 2021

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng has told Parliament that the names and cellphone numbers of registered voters were collected by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) ahead of the 2019 general election in order to improve administration of the poll.

Mr Morwaeng was giving an answer during the parliamentary Minister’s Question Time on Friday.

He said he was aware that the IEC had collected the numbers in order to contact the registered voter in case there was some missing information or for any other necessary assistance.

Mr Morwaeng said the numbers were stored and protected at the IEC, were not shared with other parties and did not appear on the voter’s roll since the purpose of collecting the numbers was to personally contact the voter if there was a need.

He said this was to assist with administrative function and as such it was not necessary for it to be stipulated in the Electoral Act.

“Currently the IEC has submitted to government recommendations for possible electoral reform, coupled with the constitutional review that we intend to undertake. Major reforms as may be found necessary for the conduct of elections could be introduced,” Mr Morwaeng said.

Mahalapye West MP, Mr David Tshere had asked the minister if he was aware that when IEC was conducting voter registration for the 2019 General Elections, they also collected names and cellphone numbers on separate papers for all registered voters.

Mr Tshere further probed why this was done; where these collected names and cellphone numbers were kept after registration; and why such cellphone numbers were not included in the voter’s roll.

He also sought to know which legislative framework was used to inform the decision to collect such information and how the minister was ensuring that such information did not end up in the hands of the ruling party at the disadvantage of other political parties.

Further, Mr Tshere wanted to know if the minister was considering amending the Electoral Act so that collection of such information was incorporated in the Act such that information was shared to other parties through the voter’s roll. ENDS