Omang backlog threatens Ralekgetho votes

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday March 23, 2018 22:38

 

The by-election is billed for March 24, 2018 and a good number of people are holding on to receipts awaiting issuance of their new identity cards.

 It has also been realised that quite a good number of people have misplaced their voters’ cards.

This has forced the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to step up their game. About 923 people have registered to vote in that ward and only 799, which is 86% of registered voters, did cast their votes in the 2014 general elections. The seat fell vacant after their councillor died from a short illness.

“It is true we have found out that many people have lost their voters’ cards. We are therefore forced to make duplicates for them. So far we have made over 100 duplicate cards, and we are still waiting for other books to make some more.”

“The number will increase since the voting day is nearer. There are days we go to Ralekgetho and some that the voters are forced to go to Kanye. But on March 19 to 22, we will have a temporary office there to assist and address any problem, which might arise,” IEC spokesperson, Osupile Maroba said a few days before the dates he mentioned.

Maroba said the other challenge they faced was of some people who wanted duplicate cards who brought with them only Omang receipts because their identity cards had expired.

The IEC spokesperson said they have realised that most Omang cards were expiring this year and Omang offices have a backlog, which means this would affect a number of people who might want to cast their vote in that ward.

“There is nothing that IEC can do to assist those who have receipts for their Omang cards while waiting for them to be printed unless the law is waived. 

“The same situation might arise at Mochudi East constituency or where there is a by-election,” he said, of the by-election ocassioned by the death of former Member of Parliament, Isaac Davids who was allegedly murdered by his herdboys.

Maroba, however, encouraged people to always take care of their voting cards.