31 May 2018

Moshupa Sub-district councillors have learnt that cases that have been brought before the courts by both Botswana Congress Party and the National Amalgamated Local and Central

Government and Parastatal Workers Union as well as Johnson Motshwarakgole against the Electoral (Amendment) Act of 2016 have had an impact on preparations for the 2019 elections.

Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) principal elections officer, Ms Ndiwo Gaopotlake said this during a council session to brief councillors on the state of the commission’s preparedness for 2019 recently.

She said the duo has approached the courts contesting the constitutionality of the piece of legislation in question.

“These cases have effects on the preparations for the 2019 general elections,” Ms Gaopotlake said.

On other issues, Ms Gaopotlake said the commission has been inundated with 13 by-elections since the last general elections.

She told councillors that out of the 13, 11 were for local government while two were parliamentary.

Two more by-elections, she said, were pending. One in Moshupa-Manyana constituency where polling has been slated for June 16, and one in Ramokgwebana polling district, which she said was awaiting issuance of the election instrument.

In relation to by-elections observations thus far, Ms Gaopotlake said the commission had registered a low voter turnout. She said it called for concerted efforts from political parties to promote voter participation.

In addition, Ms Gaopotlake said there was need to sensitise voters on the safekeeping and importance of voter registration cards.

The commission, she said, had also observed with concern the violation of Section 149 of the Electoral Act which called for the maintenance of secrecy on what transpired in polling stations.

She noted, for example, that some voters took pictures of their marked ballot papers and published them on social media.

“Agents, journalists and the general public at counting centres have a tendency to provide counting update on various platforms,” she said, adding that if convicted, one was liable to a fine not exceeding P100 or six months in jail or both.

She said the IEC would start general voter registration from September 3 to November 11 this year.

Meanwhile, Ms Gaopotlake said in an interview after the council meeting that last week’s nominations for parliamentary candidates for the Moshupa-Manyana by-election went ahead without qualms.

She said the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) nominated Mr Karabo Gare while the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) would be represented by Mr Tshepang Sethono.

She said the commission was ready to deliver come June 16.

“People need to be reminded to check the validity and availability of both their Omang cards and voter registration cards so that they may be assisted accordingly and avoid disappointment on polling day,” she  said.

About 14 845 voters are expected to cast their votes at the 51 polling stations across the constituency.

During the 2014 general elections, total votes cast stood at 12 821 translating into 86.21 per cent. ENDS