10 Oct 2024

It is the responsibility of political parties contesting in the elections and other stakeholders to ensure that peace prevails during the general elections slated for October 30.

This was said by the Independent Electoral Commission’s chief elections officer for Selebi Phikwe, Mr Lesang Molome during the Party Liaison Committee (PLC) meeting.

Mr Molome urged political parties to encourage their members to familiarise themselves with the Electoral Act and ensure that their actions did not violate or disturb the electoral process.

He said Botswana had always enjoyed free and fair elections which should be maintained during the coming elections.

Mr Molome said that the IEC was going to work closely with political parties, to deliver transparent elections trusted by voters and those elected.

Nomination process in the two constituencies of Selebi Phikwe went well and all the parliamentary and council candidates were successful, Mr Molome said.

Candidates for Selebi Phikwe East constituency are  Mr Amogelang Mojuta of the Botswana Democratic Party, Dr Mokubung Mokubung of the Botswana Patriotic Front while Botswana Congress Party and Umbrella for Democratic Change have fielded Mr Kgoberego Nkawana and Mr Tebogo Venson respectively.

Mr Keodubile Johane is contesting as an independent candidate.

In Selebi Phikwe West, BCP  has fielded Mr Reuben Kaizer, Ms Beauty Manake is the BDP candidate and Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse is the UDC candidate.

Mr Molome explained that candidates were allowed not more than two polling agents, to observe the electoral process on their behalf.

He said only the presiding officer would be transported to the counting centre, to ensure that ballot boxes were secure.

“We expect you to provide transport for your respective polling agents,” he said.

Political parties’ representatives however were of the view that the ballot boxes should be placed in the car boot, away from the presiding officer during transportation to the counting centre, to allay fears of tampering with ballot papers.

PLC chairperson and also a returning office, Ms Boikhutso Matenge explained that presiding officers were accountable for the ballot boxes and it was upon them to ensure that the boxes reached the counting centre safely.

She said candidates were also allowed to appoint not more than two people as counting agents to witness the counting of votes.

She said notice of the appointment, stating names and addresses of the counting agents should be given by the candidate in writing to the returning officer.

Ms Matenge explained that polling agents were allowed to attend preparation of the polling station, examine the ballot box before it was closed just before the commencement of voting and copy the number of the seal to close the ballot box. ENDS