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We do not know whom the people will elect, but we have trust that in their wisdom they will elect the best man for the job. It is not our brief to tell them who or whom not to elect as we have trust that they will elect, not only somebody that they like, but a true servant of the people.With just under a week left, everybody should be bracing for this by-election, given the excitement that has been generated across the parties.
The two parties have been campaigning ceaselessly and this Friday everything is coming to a climax. All different forms of campaigns have been used from the regular political rallies to house-to-house campaigns.As was expected, there have been accusations flying thick and fast from one political end to the other. The two parties have been accusing each other of all sorts of cheating and electoral manipulation. Like all believers in the democratic system, we are hopeful that the Independent Electoral Commission will address all the cases that have been brought forward fairly.
There have been allegations of voter trafficking and voter bribery. These are serious allegations and the IEC knows more than anybody that they have to attend to all these allegations expeditiously to retain integrity and faith in our electoral processes. Except for these isolated cases, the campaigns, although heated, have up to now proceeded without any major incident. This is an achievement for our political parties, and to some extent it proves the maturity of our voters. Our hope is that this spirit of tolerance will go on until the day of the election.We appeal to all those who are eligible to vote on that day to ensure that they indeed exercise their right to participate in this valued democracy. Political parties, and other Batswana, should also ensure that their supporters who are registered to vote do so.
There are other Batswana who are ill and may not be able to vote unless they are assisted to do so. There are, of course, other voters who may - due to reason of work transfers and others - be residing outside Gaborone now. It is our hope that political parties and the affected individuals will make it a point that they do all in their power to take part in this important process. Just that single vote could make the difference. We hate to remind voters that there have been elections that have been decided by just a solitary vote. You do not know. Neither do we know how this election would be decided. Do not procrastinate! Do not let this opportunity go by. You might live to regret and rue this day. Do the right thing; go and vote on Saturday.
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