IEC to flex muscle in the 2019 elections
Lebogang Baingapi | Wednesday November 8, 2017 14:01
This was said by the Jwaneng/Mabutsane principal election officer, Mompoloki Koogotsitse when addressing the Party Liaison Committee (PLC) here on Friday. He said the Commission will put into practice most of the clauses to ensure safe and free elections.
Koogotsitse said Section 19 (7) of the Electoral Act states that if a person falsely objects another to vote, that person will be liable to a fine not exceeding P500. He said during the 2014 elections, the Jwaneng/Mabutsane constituency was leading with objections of voters by political candidates.
On other issues, Koogotsitse noted that anyone who gives false information during elections will be fined P1,000 or six months imprisonment. “The law will take its course for those who prevent others from voting by any means. This may include giving them alcohol and dumping them at a different place where they cannot access the polls. The law also prohibits anybody to give cash or any gift that will influence a vote; such person will also be charged according to Section 94 of the Electoral Act,” Koogotsitse said.
He further indicated that anyone who is convicted of corrupt and illegal practices during elections will be banned from taking part in elections for the next five years. He added that the Commission would continue to strengthen its machinery such as the tribunal to solve pending issues before elections.
Koogotsitse urged the PLC to spread the gospel of free and fair elections as well as educate the electorates on the new amendments in the Electoral Act. In response, the committee advised the IEC to review and amend the Electoral Act to add stiffer penalties. They said the Commission should engage them on time to ensure efficiency in information dissemination.
Meanwhile, the committee was informed that the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the 2019 general elections is still a pending case before the courts of law. However, the IEC will continue to train people and do consultations on the use of the machine pending the outcome the court case.