Legal penalties for false registration

ARNOLD LETSHOLO
Correspondent | Wednesday November 14, 2007 00:00

 

The villagers' legislator, Mmoloki Raletobana gave the warning addressing a political rally in the village last weekend.

'Do not agree to be tricked into registering at Gabane North while you live in Gabane South just because your cousin, brother or friend will be standing for elections at that particular polling station. Should investigations reveal that you deliberately did so, know that you have committed an offence punishable by law. You may find yourself in prison,' he said to applause.

The Public Relations Officer for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Osupile Maroba quoted Part XI of the Electoral Act at Section 144: 'Any person who knowingly (a) registers at a polling station in respect of which he is not entitled to be registered, or (b) gives false information to a registration officer, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to the penalties prescribed in section 146.

'The sub-section (1) indicates that such a person who is convicted of the offence shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding P1, 000 or both'.

Maroba said they investigate such forgery through information they get from complainants.

He said they conduct workshops to educate politicians and aspirants about this Act.

They also have a toll free number through which they can be reached by political office aspirants.

'We have asked for funds to start workshops once we have known parties are done with their primaries,' he said, adding that the politicians who trick voters are also punished. (Sila Press Agency)