Candidate queries BNFWL election outcome
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday March 29, 2022 06:00
Kesiilwe was battling it out with Dr Bonang Nkoane whom she lost to after the latter won with 342 votes. Kesiilwe got 91 votes while only four votes were spoilt.
“It is true I had written a letter to the electoral board to complain about how things were done starting from the preparations of the congress. There was no proper communication on the date of the congress and again we were not given enough time to campaign at different constituencies,” Kesiilwe said on Sunday.
“There are those members who were aware of those dates and had time to tour different constituencies to campaign. Normally, communication must be sent to relevant structures so that they inform members, but this was not done. Therefore, I have informed the electoral board that I am objecting to the elections and I want a proper congress to be called.”
She said what shocked them most is that about six constituencies were returned because they did not have new membership cards and they were told that they did not elect the new structure, therefore, do not have any mandate from the members.
According to her, the six constituencies included Serowe North, Bobirwa, Lerala/Maunatlala, Kgalagadi North and Mmadinare.
In addition, she said some members were allowed to vote with old membership cards and some were not allowed and they were told that their names did not appear on the voters roll.
Kesiilwe said her team did not have access to the voters roll and it seems that some had it. She said the elections were not free and fair, while they were riddled with discrepancies.
However, the BNF spokesperson Justin Hunyepa said he was shocked about the allegation raised by Kesiilwe since she was part of the committee that was formed on Saturday night to address all complaints that may arise from the members.
“That committee had members of the outgoing women’s league committee, some members of the mother body, two representatives from each campaign team, electoral board members and three independent observers,” he said.
“The main purpose of the committee was to solve any complaint that is there or that may arise in the event of elections and to ask questions where the aspirant candidates might have confusion. She could have immediately raised her complaints. Again, party procedure is clear in this circumstance and members know the consequences of rushing to the media over party internal matters without even engaging the organisation.”
Hunyepa added the task committee has not informed them about the complaint letter.