800 000 ghost voters unearthed

. . . IEC embarks on roll overhaul

RETHABILE MOHONO

MASERU — The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced it has embarked on a nationwide re-registration campaign for all eligible voters. The drastic decision comes in response to troubling findings indicating that the voters’ roll may contain between 800,000 and 900,000 deceased individuals, while the number of active voters is estimated to be only between 800,000 and 950,000.

IEC Public Relations Officer Tuoe Hantši shared these insights during an exclusive interview with Public Eye yesterday, highlighting the urgency and necessity of this initiative. “The discrepancies in our voters’ roll are alarming,” Hantsi stated, adding that the outdated register, which has been in place for over 20 years, is no longer reflective of the current population.

He added that the last comprehensive voter registration process in Lesotho began in 2001, and over the years, the integrity of the register has deteriorated with many individuals having either passed away, changed names, or moved. Existing data is therefore filled with inaccuracies. “Typically, deceased individuals were removed from the voters’ roll with the assistance of chiefs, who provided names of those who had passed away. However, this process was very challenging because people often registered in one location but were buried in their place of origin, which could be a different place. As a result, it was difficult to determine whether they were still alive or not,” he said, adding that it has become increasingly difficult to maintain an up-to-date voters’ roll.

He also noted that their findings indicate that while approximately 1.4 million individuals are registered, only about 500,000 actually participate in elections. This disparity is largely attributed to the presence of deceased individuals and cases of double registration.

“Many people registered multiple times, but measures were in place to ensure that they could not vote more than once,” Hantši added. Speaking about how to fix the anomalies, he said IEC launched a re-registration campaign that utilises National Identification Cards as the sole form of identification.

As stipulated in Section 16 of the National Identity Card Act 9 of 2011, all citizens aged 18 and above are eligible to register. “This re-registration is not limited to first-time voters but includes those who previously registered using various other forms of documentation,” he said, adding that the IEC is encouraging citizens to visit their local offices to register, but those who may find it challenging to do so could opt for one-on-one and online registration options are also available.

The IEC’s official website provides a user-friendly portal for citizens to register from home. “We anticipate that online registration will be crucial, especially for those living abroad or working during odd hours,” Hantši said.

Conceding that not everyone has ready access to technology, Hantsi said IEC has implemented several methods to facilitate the registration process. One-on-one registration efforts will see IEC staff visiting communities during events such as rallies and sports tournaments. This approach aims to reach individuals who may be hesitant to engage with the registration process through regular means.

Additionally, Hantši said plans to provide mobile registration units to cater to those who prefer in-person assistance. The IEC is also focussing on outreach exercises through radio programs and social media to educate the public about the reregistration process.

“We need voter educators to sensitise the public, especially those without access to modern technology,” he said, emphasising that people need to provide valid and correct phone numbers so that they are able to receive proof of registration on their phones.

Speaking about the efficiency of current registration progress, he said currently, the re-registration campaign is showing promising results.

He said online registration is gradually gaining traction, with about 3,000 confirmed registrations so far. Thaba-Tseka district is leading with 942 registrations, followed by Mohale’s Hoek with 555, Leribe with 491, Mokhotlong with 415, Maseru with 43, and Berea with 39, while Quthing has no registrations recorded as yet.

In total, if we include physical registrations, there are at least 18,570 voters who have registered, with Maseru leading at 8,565, followed by Mohale’s Hoek with 3,275.

“Additionally, we are utilising radio programmes and social media, and we have identified the need for voter educators to sensitise the public about the ongoing re-registration program across the country. This is crucial for reaching people who do not have access to social media, television, or radio,” Hantši also said.

“We find it important, and it’s their right, so we decided to bring services closer to them,” he said, adding that there will be gadgets that will be used to assist in the registration process during mobile registration.

He noted that while they are making progress, there is still a significant amount of work to be done.

He cited a trend among banks and insurance companies that requires individuals to update their information after a certain period to confirm their active status.

“The IEC recognised the importance of a similar approach and began updating the voters’ roll in 2022. However, from 2022 to now, many deceased individuals have been identified, which is why we decided to start fresh to ensure transparency as we head toward the upcoming elections,” he said.

Looking ahead, he said the IEC’s re-registration campaign represents a critical step in restoring public confidence in the electoral process before the next elections. By addressing the longstanding issues of an outdated voter’s roll, the IEC aims to create a more accurate and trustworthy electoral framework.

“This initiative is not just about numbers; it’s about ensuring that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to make their voice heard. A well-informed and engaged electorate is the cornerstone of a vibrant democracy,” Hantši said.