05 Mar 2014

When the proclamation that postponed the Francistown West bye election was issued, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) had already concluded most of the preparations including training of poll staff, printing of ballot papers and other logistics required to conduct an election.

This was said by the Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri in Parliament on Tuesday, March 4 in response to a question from the Member of Parliament for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi.

Mr Matlhabaphiri said after the bye-election was postponed, IEC did not abandon the preparations already made, but rather suspended them. When preparations resumed, he said, the commission started where it had stopped without any additional costs being incurred.

MP Mmolotsi had asked the minister to state the loss incurred by the IEC as a result of the postponement of Francistown West bye elections. ENDS