Analysts urge Gov't on EVMs: 'take heed'
Chakalisa Dube | Friday May 19, 2017 12:17
The EVMs may be used in the 2019 general elections should the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) fail in its court bid to totally stop the government from introducing the machines. The BCP is questioning certain legalities of using the machines.
The Government, through the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), has reasoned that it is introducing the EVMs in order to speed up the voting process.
In the wake of growing resentment towards the EVMs, the University of Botswana (UB) based political analyst, Kebapetse Lotshwao yesterday told Mmegi that the Government should now bow down to pressure and reconsider her actions with regards to introducing voting with the aid of the machines.
“It is loud and clear that people do not need the machine. The Governmentt must reconsider its decision on the introduction of the EVMs,” he said.
Lotshwao said based on the prevailing circumstances, the most logical thing for the Government will be to go back and consult thoroughly in order to make an informed decision on whether to use the machines or not.
The electoral amendments, which endorsed the use of EVMs, at the country’s voting, should also be repealed, if possible according to the UB political science lecturer.
According to him, there was no thorough consultation before the bill, which paved way for the use of the EVMs, was passed. Lotshwao added that the Government’s attitude towards the EVMs is beginning to raise eyebrows.
“Based on the current dynamics (related to the use of the machines when it appears as if theGovernment is insisting on the use of the EVMs), people will begin to question the agenda of the government.”
The jittery opposition believes that the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which many predict may lose power in 2019 wants to hack the machines in its favour in order to win the election. Instead of introducing the voting machines, they argue, the Government should explore other ways of speeding up the voting process.
“One way of speeding up the voting the process will be to employ more people to conduct the counting and voting process. We have countries with vast resources and huge populations, but do not use the EVMs hence the introduction of the machines in Botswana cannot be said to be urgent when we have such a small population.”
The introduction of the EVMs is also not more urgent than the other electoral reforms according to Lotshwao.
“The opposition parties have been advocating for funding of political parties and the independence of the IEC from the Office of the President. These reforms are key as they enhance democracy and I believe they should have been given the nod ahead of the EVM issue,” he said. Another political analyst Zibani Maundeni also called on the government to reconsider her desire to introduce the EVMs. “ “In a democratic set up when citizens of a country speak, the Government should listen. If the Government does not listen, this can result in chaos,” he said.
According to the international media, developed countries such as England, Italy and Belgium have scrapped or either decided against using the EVMs because the machine is prone to hacking. Batswana across the country have openly rejected the EVMs at Kgotla meetings. The opposition parties have also been very vocally against the use of the machines.
The IEC recently decided against procuring the machines after the BCP approached the High Court challenging the Governmentt’s decision to introduce the EVMs.
Highly respected figures such as former President Sir Ketumile Masire have also questioned the current Government’s desire to introduce the EVMs. Yesterday the Government conducted a demonstration of the machine in the capital Gaborone a move, which analysts said showed the insistence of the Government to introduce the machines despite mounting disapproval from citizens.
The IEC had also challenged hackers to come and temper with the machine to prove that it cannot be used to conduct credible elections. Last week opposition parties indicated that they will not attend the demonstrations because they do not support the use of the EVMs.
International researchers using scientific evidence have also shown that the EVM is prone to hacking. In 2010, scientists at an American University said that they have developed a plan to hack the EVMs used at the Indian general elections.
This was despite claims by Indian authorities that the machines were temper-proof. There is still controversy surrounding the reliability of the voting machines in India.