26 Sep 2024

The general election fever is gaining momentum and all eyes will tomorrow be at Gaborone High Court where political parties will submit their nominations of presidential candidates before the Chief Justice.

Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) secretary, Mr Jefferson Siamisang explained in an interview that the presidential nomination process was constitutional and in accordance with Presidential Election (Supplementary Provisions) Act Cap 02:01 which stated that ‘the nomination of candidates for the office of the president shall take place on the first Saturday following the expiry of 20 days after the dissolution of the National Assembly.’

“It is worth noting that President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi dissolved the National Assembly on September 5, thus the first Saturday following the 20 days after Parliament dissolution falls on September 28.

Therefore, the nomination of candidates for the Office of the President shall be handed to the returning officer in this case, the Chief Justice on the said date before 5pm,” Mr Siamisang said.

Mr Siamisang said the requirement as per the law was that presidential candidates should be accompanied by 1 000 nomination forms which should be verified and officially stamped by the Botswana Police Station commanders stationed at various constituencies across the country.

“It is compulsory by law for the presidential candidates to provide proof of at least 1 000 supporters through submitting to the Chief Justice, a verified ‘first schedule form’ and all signatories of that form shall also appear on the voters roll,” said Mr Siamisang.

The process of availing 1 000 supporter by each presidential candidate, Mr Siamisang said was to ensure that candidates would represent the views of the masses.

He explained that the Chief Justice would upon receiving and verifying all the nomination forms declare the names of political party candidates constitutionally permitted to potentially lead the government.

Only four political parties being, Botswana Democratic Party, Umbrella for Democratic Change, Botswana Congress Party and Botswana Patriotic Front have collected the Presidential Nomination Forms from the IEC.

Mr Siamisang noted that the IEC was expecting a smooth nomination process since there were no complaint from any political organisation as yet.

Additionally, with regard to parliamentary and council nominations, Mr Siamisang stated that Electoral Act Section 34;35 called for the process to be carried out within five to 10 days of the 21st day of the dissolution of Parliament.

“The nomination of parliamentary and council candidates is thus scheduled to take place on October 4, and all prospective candidates should summit the nomination forms to returning officers across the 61 constituencies and 609 council wards across the country,” he said.

He nonetheless said such candidates were only expected to bring nine supporters or signatories upon submitting the nomination forms. Ends