15 Oct 2024

Kgatleng polling officers have been urged to rely solely on the Electoral Act when discharging their duties.

Addressing polling staff during orientation workshop recently in Mochudi, Principal Elections Officer, Mr Nyanga Nyanga said everything should be done according to the law.

“All decisions that you make during elections should be based on Electroral laws. You should treat it as your guidance,” he said.

Mr Nyanga urged participants to exhibit professionalism throughout the electoral process.

Furthermore, he said participants should pay attention to the information provided to avoid mistakes on election day.

He further outlined key training components including strategies for managing various situations during the day, handing election materials and cooperating effectively with the media, polling agents and election observers.

He assured them that election material, including ballot boxes would strictly be under security and that the IEC would ensure all measures were in place to guarantee protection.

Meanwhile, Mr Nyanga said on election day all presiding officers would have the power of oath for any objection, adding that any person misconducting themselves or falling to obey the law may be removed by police officers by order the as per the Electoral Act.

“Any voter who is disabled 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 stated, adding that officers should be friendly when helping voters and not give any assistance to a voter expect those are prescribed by the Electoral Act .

Mr Nyanga advised polling officers not to speak with voters during the time they cast thvotes and to avoid starring at their votes as well as to avoid conversations with voters after they have completed casting their vote.

In her welcoming remarks, Kgatleng District Commissioner, Ms Kolebetso Sejakgomo emphasised the importance of fairness and transparency for the upcoming general elections.

Apart from the duties stipulated by the Electoral Act, Ms Sejakgomo, said officers should be responsible and obey the laws and refrain from anything that could compromise the exercise.

She encouraged officers to pay attention to details, set aside all other things and focus, to minimise mistakes as the 30 October has been set aside solely for national general elections. ENDS