By-elections likely to attract low turn-out

People queuing to vote
People queuing to vote

Political analyst, Lesole Machacha says there is a high possibility that the 11 by-elections to be held over the weekend might have a low turn-out as compared to other previous by-elections.

According to the analyst, this is so because people are already in a festive mood. The vacant council seat wards are Nkange North (Nkange constituency), Tamasane (Mmadinare constituency), Tumasera-Seleka (Sefhare-Ramokgonami constituency), Boseja South (Mochudi East constituency), Lentsweletau West (Lentsweletau-Mmopane constituency), Metsimotlhabe (Gabane-Mmankgodi constituency), Motokwe-Tsetseng (Takatokwane constituency), Ga-Molopo (Goodhope-Mabule constituency), Lorolwane (Mmathethe-Molapowabojang constituency) and Moshupa East (Moshupa-Manyana constituency). Normally, the council seat vacancy should be filled within three months if one dies or resigns but this was not the case this time around since there was a State of Public Emergency and lockdowns.

“Historically, our by-elections have not been attracting large numbers of people like it is the case with general elections. This time around the situation might be bad due to a number of reasons: Political parties did not have enough time to campaign, some held primary elections within a short space and some of the members were not happy and some people are still having fear of the COVID-19 pandemic. Again, some voters are already busy going home while some are touring the country. Some companies are paying people this week and closing at the same time, so chances of youth going to polling stations to vote are slim,” Machacha said.

Editor's Comment
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