09 Jul 2023

 Botswana Patriotic Front’s (BPF), Mr Onalepelo Kedikilwe has been declared winner of the Serowe West Constituency bye-election.

Mr Kedikilwe garnered 2 933 votes followed by Mr Moemedi Dijeng of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) with 1 267 votes.

Botswana Congress Party’s Mr Sebusiso Ngwenya pocketed 103 votes while independent candidate, Mr Kefilwe Koboto trailed behind with 82 votes. 

The constituency was declared vacant April this year after the then area MP failed to attend two consecutive Parliamentary meetings of the same session. 

In an interview, returning officer for the bye-elections, Ms Angelinah Leano said that a total of 4 420 people had voted, adding there was a discrepancy of 3 votes and 38 votes were spoilt

She said a total of over 9 800 people had registered to vote in the constituency.

Ms Leano said although they had glitches during the election process the setbacks were manageable. 

She said in her view, election officers executed the bye-election well.

She said there was need to intensify education and create awareness with regard to electoral process on election officers and stakeholders so as to be on the same page.

Also speaking in an interview, Mr Kedikilwe thanked constituents for entrusting him with the responsibility to represent them.

 He said he would strive to ensure that developments and services reached people at all times. 

The jubilant Mr Kedikilwe said he was calm during the election process because he had worked very hard in campaigning for the seat. ends