22 Jan 2017

The opposition Botswana Congress Party's (BCP) council candidate, Mr Area Gabathuse has won Boikago/Madiba ward bye- elections.

Mr Gabathuse garnered 606 votes against Botswana Democratic Party's (BDP) Mr Thabo Dimeku’s 503 votes while 19 votes were spoilt.

The bye-election came about following the death of Councillor Ritchie Kenosi, who beat Mr Gabathuse in the 2014 general elections.

A total of 1 128 people voted in the bye -election against 1 671 voters who registered in the 2014 general elections.

A total of 1 333 people in Boikago/Madiba voted in the 2014 general elections.

The two parties accepted the results.

Mr Gabathuse thanked all the people of Boikago/Madiba for voting for him, adding that he was going to represent them well in the council.

He said Palapye was transforming into a township, hence the need to improve the condition of roads and construct storm water drainage, among others.

He said he was going to work hand in hand with the area MP to bring developments to Palapye and improve the lives of the people.

The BDP Letswapo Region chairperson, Mr Gabagopole Sebele accepted the results and thanked the residents of Boikago/Madiba for their votes.

He said BDP had done its best although it lost the ward to the BCP, adding that the BDP members would do their best to win the ward in the 2019 general elections.

He said however that he was not impressed with the way some people behaved during the elections as there was some violence in some polling stations.

The returning officer, deputy district commissioner for Palapye, Mr Ernest Phiri said he was also informed about a mob of people who blocked the gate at Holy Bontle Apostolic Church polling station after the closing of the voting process.

He said however that the police managed to arrest the situation and ensure the safety of elections officials and the ballot box, adding that the ballot box arrived safely at the counting centre.

He also raised concern over people who canvassed for votes at the polling stations, particularly at the UCCSA polling station, adding that such behaviour was not acceptable as it compromised fairness.

Despite this, he said the elections went well, as all polling stations opened and closed on time.

In addition he said the verification and counting processes went well and all parties accepted the results.

For his part, officer commanding District Number two, Senior Superintendent Paul Molapisi said police officers were on the ground since morning until the counting was over.

He said even though the elections went well, the police experienced some hiccups at the Holy Bontle Apostolic Church polling station, where people crowded around the gate trying to intimidate polling agents and presiding officers after the closing time of 7pm.

He said the police also witnessed a misunderstanding between some politicians outside Holy Bontle Apostolic Church, adding that the police acted swiftly to arrest the situations. BOPA