BCP to be heard on EVMs

Amongst other reliefs, the BCP [Botswana Congress Party] says that all sections of the Electoral (Amendment) Act No. 7 of 2016, which provide for the replacement of voting by Ballot Paper by EVMs be declared unconstitutional and in violation of Section 32 (3) (c) of the Constitution of Botswana be set aside and struck out. Before the BCP case could be argued on its merits, the AG applied for the case to be dismissed because the BCP had filed its declaration nine days out of time.

The chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and secretary to the IEC respectively, other respondents in the matter respectively, did not oppose the BCP’s case. Giving his judgement on the case yesterday, Justice Lot Moroka said the AG has not succinctly stated how the late filing of the declaration by the BCP will prejudice them.