
Government is mulling the idea of postponing the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the 2019 General Elections, sources at government enclave have intimated. Although very evasive Vice President Slumber Tsogwane hinted at the possibility when asked by journalists on Friday if government will consider not using EVMs in the 2019 General elections. “It will depend on the outcome of the ongoing court case and whether there will be sufficient time to procure the machines for the next year's general elections. But I can confirm to you that there will be elections next year,” he said. He said even if the EVMs cannot be used next year other electoral reforms will be implemented like the once off voter registration. “Studies have shown that most of the voter trafficking occurs during supplementary registration hence its cancellation. We are going to allow longer period for voter registration,” he said. On disenfranchising those who will be turning 18 after the closure of the registration, Tsogwane said it will be considered as it will be fair to allow them to register. Information gathered by this publication has revealed that time is not on the side of Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to procure the…