19 Apr 2018

Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has reported that they are ready for Mochudi East Bye-Election slated for April 21.

Speaking in an interview with BOPA, principal elections officer in Mochudi, Mr Gakenosi Motshwarakgole said they had 47 polling stations and the counting centre would be Molefi Senior Secondary School.

He said from the beginning of this week they have been carrying out trainings for polling officers so that they know what is expected of them.

Mr Motshwarakgole said the IEC had carried out meetings in Mochudi East villages to sensitise voters about the impeding election day so that those who had lost voting cards could replace them.

He further said they had realised that many voters had lost their voting cards when looking at the number of duplicates the office had to replace during their meetings.

He said to further assist voters they had opened three bases in Mochudi, Oodi and Mmathubudukwane to help voters get duplicates so that they could vote tomorrow.

Mr Motshwarakgole added that Mochudi office continued to experience high numbers of voters who came daily to replace their voting cards.

The numbers ranged from 150 to 160 on a daily basis.

He said they would be pitching 24 tents in areas where there are no institutions and currently he had 29 vehicles, but had requested for more from other government departments.

The Bye-elections will see Rev Mpho Moruakgomo of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) battling it out with Mr Moagi Molebatsi of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and Mr Jafta Radibe, who is an Independent Candidate.

The bye-elections come after the Mochudi East seat was left vacant after the sudden death of MP Isaac Davids, who was a BDP MP.

The polling stations will open from 630am to 7pm. ENDS