No paper trail, no EVM

Mmegi Editor | Friday March 31, 2017 11:17

The words carried a strong message that cautioned that even hard headed individuals should listen when majority of people around them are complaining about a decision that has direct effect on them and many others.

Almost 10 years later, from the land of ‘reason’ and Skelemani far away from the political seat he could voice opinion from, his Government if forcing matters, though not of same force as Zimbabwe of then; but doing something the former Botswana legislator warned against.

The Botswana Government is trying to impose Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) on voters, which the after decision consultations by the consultant, Gabriel Seeletso, are proving hard to sell. Incidentally, Seeletso, is the one who saw change in the law to replace paper voting with the machine, and had just after retirement as secretary of the Independent Electoral Commission,(IEC) was appointed the EVM consultant. Almost all kgotla meetings where Seeletso was, have rejected the use of EVM if it comes with no paper trail.

It does not take a rocket scientist for anybody to see that this issue has potential to bring instability in the country.

The people have spoken and the message is very clear – No Paper Trail, No EVM. How loud should people shout for those in authority to understand them? Who is behind the use of EVM if majority of people calls for further consultation on Electoral Amendment Act are going to be ignored?

Seeletso himself has conceded that his national tour to sell the EVM has received a lot of protest than he anticipated. His journey has also earned him a lot of ridicule with some requesting him to resign.

The EVM, as many point out, has proved problematic even in developed democracies such as India (where ours will be coming from) and the United States of America.

The bottom line is the fact that any electronic gadget is susceptible to hacking or manipulation and so is the EVM. Elections are a very sensitive matter that cannot be left to a piece of gadget to decide on the future of over two million people of this country.

If the EVM is forced on people, as the  Government seems intent on, it will be better to ensure there is paper trail to back it.

Without a paper trail, we foresee cheating and the minority forcing it stealing the 2019 ballot.

We therefore call on the powers that be to listen to the people - No paper trail, No EVM!

 

Today’s thought 

“A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.” 

- James Freeman Clarke