Voting process had to be delayed while an audit of the ballot papers for the Mabote constituency had to be carried out by the Independent Electoral Commission and all party candidates for the constituency on Saturday morning. In an interview, the Returning Officer at Mabote No. 29 Head Quarters, Mr.Itumeleng Makoetlane, told LENA that the delay has been due to a difference in sealing ballot paper boxes.
He said, the original filling of the boxes earlier was done with a white sellotape, while the reprinted boxes, which were delivered on Friday are sealed with a brown sellotape.
boxes containing ballot papers sealed in brown and white sellotape (pic. M,Kheleli)
He explained that on Saturday morning when they were ready to distribute the
boxes, the party agents did not allow them, enquiring why the sealing was
now different. Mr Makoetlane, further explained that they had to report the
matter to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) headquarters.The IEC
Commissioner Mr. Mokhele Likate explained to those who were present that the
ballots had had some printing errors and suggested that an audit be carried
out to assure all concerned that the ballots were still the right ones.Mr
Likate further assured the nation on a live radio broadcast that every thing
is on track and the time for polling at the Mabote constituency will
be extended to make up the ten hours allocated for elections.
The commissioner of IEC Mr. Mokhele Likate issuing instructions at Mabote NO. 29 (pic. M.kheleli)
In the meantime, the District Returning Officer, Mr. Lenka Letlatsa, explained to the SADC and Commonwealth observers that at least 67 boxes in the Mabote constituency are sealed in brown after having gone for reprinting due to factory fault. He said, the boxes were delivered to the IEC warehouse on Wednesday after being received at the Convention Center in Maseru in the presence of the logistics committee.
Meanwhile, voters at the polling stations answerable to the Mabote No.
29constituency were still standing in queues waiting for ballots to be
distributed so that they cast their votes. A Presiding Officer at Lebohang
English Medium School polling station, Mrs Pulane Khooe, said they were
informed by the IEC staff at the headquarters that voting will be delayed
due to ballot papers' query between the IEC and party agents. She expressed
hope that the solution would be reached in time, and that as soon as the
problem is solved voting will commence. Voters, however, said they were
informed about the ballot problems, but still disappointed, since they were
at the polling stations, since very early in the morning, hoping to cast
their votes. Meanwhile, four constituencies of Mabote, Lithabaneng, Machache,
and Rothe received reprinted ballot papers on Friday.
some of the voters anxiously waiting for the ballot papers to cast their votes (pic.M.Kheleli)
25 MAY 2002