24 Oct 2014

Lucretia Chima reports that voting in Tlokweng Constituency was this morning conducted in a meticulous manner except for minor glitches.

A visit to Kgale Farms, Morolwana, Mmasedikwe (Notwane), St Josephs and Rramontshonyana (Mokolodi 1) polling stations revealed that voting in all these stations started on time at 6:30am and there were no hiccups.

In Tlokweng everything went on smoothly except Mafitlhakgosi where a voter was not allowed to vote after he produced a copy of an expired Omang identity card.

At another voting started late because the tent had collapsed following a storm the previous night. However, polling agents were confident that voting would finish on time.

The parliamentary candidates for the constituency are Olebile Gaborone of the BDP, Jacob Lekopa Zachariah of the BCP and Same Bathobakae of the UDC.

In Gaborone North, Calviniah Kgautlhe reports that at Phakalane English Medium Primary School, European Union election observers were on the ground to observe the process.

Another election observer was South African High Commissioner, Mr Mdu Lembede, who said "I am impressed by the high level of professionalism exhibited by polling officers. The mood is relaxed and the people seem to be looking forward to be doing their civic duty, so far so good.”

French ambassador, Ms Anne de la Blanche, said an interview that Botswana’s elections were better organized than those of other African countries.

"I have done elections observations in other countries in the past and have noticed that the level of organisation here is excellent compared to other countries.  I felt welcome as an observer. However, I was disappointed by the low turnout of young people and women in polling stations where I have been,” she said.