‘Mantšali Phakoana
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says the ballot paper for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for September 29 arrived safely from South Africa on Saturday night.
The ballot papers, packed in two categories of a political and a candidate (community councillor) were printed by Uniprint Global Pty Ltd which is based in Durban.
IEC deputy public relations officer, Reitumetse Makoetje, told theReporter on Monday this week that the ballot paper was collected by an IEC team which was accompanied by a media liaison committee and representatives of political parties. The entourage had left the country on Wednesday 6 and returned on Saturday 9.
Makoetje noted that the ballot paper is still kept safely at an IEC warehouse under heavy security by the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS) and Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) as it awaits distribution to the districts.
She indicated that the ballot paper was also welcomed by political parties and media in the presence of security personnel.
Political parties that were part of the delegation that witnessed the printing of the ballots and collection as observers were the Basotho Action Party (BAP), Allies for Patriotic Change (ADP) and Development Party for All (DPA). The media was represented by Moeletsi Oa Basotho Newspaper, ACL Radio and a representative of state media.
Lerato Mabusetsa of DPA party said they witnessed the printing of the ballots from the beginning to the end.
She commended the printing company’s high standard machines, high security level and good customer care.
“It was really a worthy experience to witness the ballots being printing; everything about that company was perfect, the welcome we received, security and guidance on the premises were outstanding.
“Their system is able to detect and automatically rectify every mistake in the ballot paper, even before the paper can be wasted,” Mabusetsa explained.
Nthabeleng Seitlheko from Moeletsi Oa Basotho said the role of the media in the printing and collection of the ballots was to observe every process to ensure transparency.
She said they were under heavy security from the South Africa side up to the Maseru border where they found police and the army personnel waiting for their arrival.
Upon their arrival, political parties’ representatives verified the seal numbers of the ballot paper to ensure there was no tampering of any sort.
“We were told that the printing of the ballots was rushed because the elections this year will be in 950 EDs (Electoral Divisions), therefore enough time would be needed for distribution of the ballot before election day.
“Observing the printing of the ballot paper was a very good experience and for me it has made me see a need for media to also have similar interest in covering local elections, as they have with general elections,” she pointed out.
Seitlheko added that a ballot paper for Tšitsong Community Council in the Quthing district was not printed because an independent candidate there is not challenged.
