Seeletso admits EVM deficiency
Lebogang Baingapi | Friday March 17, 2017 18:00
He said the machine comes with many challenges that include fear of being tempered with, but however they would go ahead with the purchasing of the machine to be used in the 2019 general elections.
He even called on political parties to avail their Information Technology experts to demonstrate to the Independent Electoral Commission IEC whether the machine can be manipulated.
Though the fully-packed kgotla was eager to see the machine, Seeletso indicated they will start procurement soon as the go-ahead to purchase the machine was approved this week.
On poor consultations prior to amending the Electoral law by Parliament, he said it was not his duty to consult the public about the machine and urged them to rather look for somebody to blame.
“Mine is a simple task, to go around 57 constituencies and 16 councils to alert you of the new developments in the Electoral Act. Further consultation will be done at council wards and polling stations,” he said
He said there was a possibility that their bulk order might come with condemned machines and they were ready to deal with such circumstances. Seeletso further revealed that each unit would cost round P3,000 with possibility of negotiated discount and dependency on foreign exchange rate at the time of purchase.
However, voters decried lack of consultation and called on Government to revise the amended Electoral Act. Chaos nearly erupted when the district development officer for Mabutsane Council, Raphel Moatswi interrupted MP for Jwaneng/Mabutsane, Shawn Ntlhaile when he tried to explain how the amended Electoral Act was adopted by Parliament.
He told him (Ntlhaile) to focus on the task of closing remarks and look for another platform to address the residents on what transpired at Parliament.
Some people were not amused by Moatswi’s remarks and walked out in protest. Ntlhaile, however continued and told the voters that opposition parties would purchase the same machine and tour the country to demonstrate how the machine could be manipulated so as to temper with election results.
One of the attendees, Othusitse Pulenyane advised that the credibility of the machine should be tested at the coming Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) congress in July. Kenny Botoka said that by purchasing the machines, the Government has already killed temporary employment during elections.
Reginah Omphile advised the Government to withdraw the amendment and continue using manual ballot papers. Omphile said there was no need to hurry to release results and that proper consultations should be conducted on issues of national interest that involved democracy.
A villager,, Gorata Phakedi-Kenneth was concerned about the safety of the data in case the machines broke down. Seeletso assured them that technicians will be available to safely retrieve the data.
Seeletso further said it was not late for the Government to consider special dispensation for Rural Area Dwellers (RADS) to register to contest election, which is P1,000 for councillors and P5,000 for MPs. Meanwhile, Batswana in other countries will continue to vote using a manual ballot paper, said Seeletso.