IEC spends about P3 million on by-elections
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday May 23, 2022 04:50
This is the amount the IEC spent on local government elections (polling districts) ever since the ease of COVID-19 restrictions.
IEC spokesperson Osupile Maroba told Mmegi in an interview that the cost of each polling district differs from others due to the number of polling stations since the number of polling stations determines the number of poll staff engaged. The 13 wards where by-elections were held are: Tamasane, Tumasera-Seleka, Khwee, Nkange North, Motokwe, Boseja South, Metsimotlhabe, Lentsweletau-Mmopane, Moshupa East, Lorolwane, Gamolopo, Ledumadumane East and Bophirima.
Maroba said democracy is expensive and that any process that promotes transparency and fairness has to be financed. He added that as long as voters turn up and vote, the cost will be justifiable and commensurate with voter participation and election results. The IEC is still concerned about the low voter turnout during by-elections and lack of knowledge on the legal requirement at polling stations (restrictions), which if not observed leads to election misconduct.
Maroba also indicated that interference with the voting process by candidates’ supporters and demands by candidates’ supporters are quite disturbing during elections, adding that the latter usually seek discretionary measures not guided by the law to be taken by presiding and returning officers.
“It is important to read and understand the legal procedures that prescribe what should happen, how, when, and who should be allowed to participate in each phase of the voting process and their role. Dialogue between candidates, poll staff, party agents and IEC officials is critical prior to taking any poll to appreciate the electoral law and how it applies on polling day. Acting on assumptions and out of knowledge is risky to oneself and everyone else participating in the poll,” Maroba highlighted.
On supplementary registration, he emphasised that it gives opportunity to citizens who did not register prior to the 2019 general elections to do so. He continued: “They still have the right to be included in the roll such that they vote in any by-election, which occurs within the active five-year electoral cycle. This includes participation in a referendum. It is citizen civic responsibility to participate in the affairs of one’s country.”