BDP orders re-runs in three constituencies

Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday January 29, 2014 16:43

Amongst the constituencies are Mmadinare, Mahalapye West and Gaborone Central. In Mmadinare, Assistant Minister of Health Dr Gloria Somolokae lost by three votes against Kefentse Mzwinila.

The MP for Mahalapye West Bernard Bolele had vanquished three candidates but now the win has been nullified. In Gaborone Central Reverend Rupert Hambira will have a second bite at the cherry against councillor Kgomotso Mogami, who was the winner of the initial run. The reason given for the Mmadinare re-run is that Somolekae was never accorded a re-count as evidence showed that numbers did not tally during elections day.

Somolekae did ask for a recount but was turned down and later appealed the decision.

In Mahalapye West and Gaborone Central constituencies, the committee found some irregularities, which elections officers never attended to. The dates for the re-run elections will be  communicated soon.

The committee is made up of Sechele Sechele (executive secretary), Lee Lesetedi (electoral board secretary), Alec Seametso, Lesego Pule and central committee members Tebatso Lekalake and Victor Motobaki.

Mmegi is informed that the central committee had not, by yesterday, communicated its decision to the candidates.  Some of the appeals will be decided this week when the committee is expected to conclude.

BDP secretary general Mpho Balopi refused to comment on the matter insisting that the work is still on-going.

Still to be decided are appeals for Shoshong, Mmathethe/Molapowabojang, Mmopane/Lentsweletau, Tonota South, Molepolole North and South among others. Meanwhile Mmegi is reliably informed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Phandu Skelemani’s appeal against Honest Buti Billy’s win has been dismissed.

The dismissal was on the basis that Skelemani did not bring concrete evidence to substantiate his appeal.