The UDC strongly opposes intimidation in the electoral process :: Mmegi Online

The opposition unit stressed that neither the Botswana Defense Force (BDF), Botswana Police Service (BPS), nor the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) would obstruct an electoral process clean under their supervision. Addressing a press conference on Sunday afternoon, leader Mike Keakopa expressed serious concerns about the failure of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to provide enough ballot papers. He said the shortfall portends potential chaos in the next general election as some civil servants were unable to vote. “The CEI law is very clear: only police officers are allowed in polling stations. There is no provision for members of the DIS or BDF. As political parties, we are stakeholders and have the right to receive the final electoral list and inspect it,” he stressed. “We cannot allow the CIS to violate the laws established to favor one party. There are clear indications of manipulation. This is our country and we must protect it. We will not resort to violence but we will collaborate with the relevant officials to address our concerns.

Additionally, Keakopa accused the IEC of collecting marked voter lists used in Saturday’s vote for civil servants, saying the practice makes it difficult to track who voted and who did not. He also criticized the washable ink used, which was not that recommended by political parties. Madibelatlhopho called on the IEC to hold free, transparent and fair elections, urging the commission to allow political parties to seal ballot boxes and print enough ballot papers to avoid further problems. In response, IEC Secretary Jeffrey Siamisang acknowledged the lack of ballots while addressing the nation on the situation of national broadcaster Btv. “We expected more than 12,000 officials, including police officers, to vote on Saturday. Unfortunately, the turnout exceeded our expectations, as many officials were reluctant to indicate where they would vote due to their suspicions.

“As a result, we did not print enough ballots. We tried to meet demand, but different polling stations needed more papers than we could print in a short time,” he said. he explained. Siamisang also revealed that the commission decided that all people who did not vote will have the opportunity to do so the following Saturday. He mentioned that challenges were also being faced abroad, with only 10 polling stations out of 50 operational, and these voters would vote on October 26, 2024. The IEC secretary said there was a case before the police of Thamaga concerning a candidate who had taken material from the CEI. which have been used and unused. He said the October 30, 2024 election would look nothing like Saturday’s early voting process.