Southerners happy with election machine
Lebogang Baingapi | Friday August 5, 2016 12:33
After the 2009 elections, Parliament was worried about the lengthy process during voting and the time candidates wait for the results to be released. A task team was sent to observe elections in India where they came across the EVM for the first time and wrote a comprehensive report to IEC and Parliament.
A member of the task team, Mephato Reatile revealed in an interview that Parliament at the time wanted to adopt the system and use it for the 2014 elections, but due to logistics, which included consultations, there was a delay. He said in 2016 there was another benchmarking trip to India and Namibia where they were again impressed by the EVM.
“There is no disadvantage in using the machine. Confidentiality is still there and the disabled will be assisted accordingly. The voting process will be fast and the results would be released within a reasonable time. This would also avoid chaotic instances where people finish early at their counting centre and go and cause commotion at another counting centre,” said Reatile.
A facilitator from Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) Thomas Shapi said it was the second time they used the machine during the 2015 elections and both the commission and their candidates were happy with the outcome of the system.
He however emphasised that if Botswana is to adopt the system, proper consultations with the public, party liaison committees, the media and other stakeholders has to be done to avoid chaos. Shapi said training is also crucial to ensure safe use of the machine and transparency.
“Namibia was the first country in Africa to use electronic voting and we hope Botswana will be next so as to enjoy the good fruits that comes with the system. The system is fast, effective and equally less time consuming,” he said.
IEC secretary, Gabriel Seeletso highlighted that bi-lateral relations that exist between Botswana and Namibia are mutual and it is natural that they share experiences on issues of national interest like the electoral process. He said subject to approval by Parliament, IEC will draft a strategic plan on how they intent to go about it. “Moving forward, training and demonstration of the machine will be continuous and this will also articulate the commission’s strategies on elections. We will also provide spare machines at all centres, in case the other machine breaks down. Those visually impaired will be assisted with braille and the verification process will still be there.”