don’t know your people. You are the ones who know them,” Seeletso said.
He added that the people who give fake addresses should be brought to book. However, he said in most cases, such people are used by politicians.
Seeletso promised the candidates that the IEC was going to intensify the training of the elections staff to ensure an efficiently run free and fair elections. He added that the IEC is in the process of organising workshops on the rules and regulations governing the elections, with representatives from all political parties. He said the IEC has consulted the Omang offices, following concerns raised by candidates.
The Omang office has informed the IEC that it has improved the waiting period between submission of applications and actual collection of the identity card, adding that he has been informed that processing does not take more than three weeks. The Omang office revealed that their records show that there are over 1.2 million Batswana who already have identity cards, though the number of registered voters is 505, 836. Seeletso said the closing date for registration for the 2004 general elections is June 30. He urged candidates to continue encouraging people to use the remaining days to register for elections, adding that following the closing date candidates should encourage the people who have actually registered to vote during the national elections.
Seeletso said all candidates wishing to stand for elections should have a letter of acknowledgement from the party they are representing, adding all candidates on nomination day should bring their Omang cards. He also said on nomination day all the candidates should be accompanied by nine people who are members of the party they are representing, adding that these people should be registered for elections. He also advised candidates that registration fees for both council and parliamentary candidates have to be paid within four days of nomination.
