26 Oct 2015

The principal elections officer in Lobatse Mr Leshe Toteng has lauded all stakeholders who assisted and worked hard towards the successful holding of the Boswelatlou ward bye election in Lobatse.

The bye elections which were held on October 3, had Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC)’s Themba Stimela winning over Botswana Democratic Party’s Ms Zubeida Raphael by 183 to 165 votes with 2 spoilt votes.

Mr Toteng said during a Party Liason Committee (PLC) meeting in Lobatse on Tuesday that, all those who were responsible for the smooth running of the bye elections did all they could, to ensure that the elections are held successfully.

He however expressed concern at the low turn out of voters to the polls, elaborating that out of the 791 who were registered to vote in the polling district, only 350 voters who represent 44 per cent of the total numbers of voters, voted.

Mr Toteng also applauded the party members and voters for their good conduct leading to the holding of peaceful elections.

He however indicated there were incidents where party members tried to canvas for votes at some polling stations such as the  Lobatse Senior Secondary School polling station and counting centre.

He elaborated that canvassing for votes during voting was not allowed adding that people are not supposed to be seen gathering around polling stations, as the electoral Act clearly indicates that no gathering should be seen within the 200 metre radius of the polling station.

Mr Toteng also indicated that the new verification process which was introduced for the first time in Botswana has proven to be successful especially in terms of time management.

The new verification process introduced by IEC opts for the counting centre to have two verification points where both points function at the same time, meaning that two boxes are each verified at the same time.

The two verification points calls for all political parties represented in the elections to have polling agents at both verification points when verification is on going.

This, therefore means an increase in the stipulated number of polling agents.

Members of the PLC also commended the IEC for the new initiative, adding that it has proven to be effective. They also implored the IEC to implement the recommendations they always bring forward in such kind of platforms.  Ends