UDC may sue IEC over symbols
Isaiah Morewagae | Wednesday February 12, 2014 14:25
UDC may sue
IEC over symbolsISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer
KANYE: Botswana National Front (BNF) President Duma Boko has accused Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of overstepping its mandate in refusing to register the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) disc with three parties' symbols.
Addressing BNF members in Kanye over the weekend Boko said they were in negotiations with the IEC over the matter as they have discovered that the commission has no powers not to register them, citing Section 150 of the Electoral Act.
Boko, who is also UDC leader, said if the negotiation fails they will be forced to take the legal route and force the IEC to register UDC symbol. He promised the multitudes of Bangwaketse who filled Marapalalo hall that in two weeks his central committee will give them feedback on the progress made.
'I am hopeful that this week or latest next week, we would have made progress failing which I will come back and take further instructions on the way forward on the matter,' Boko said. Boko made pilgrimage to his party's political home of Kanye to address members on mammoth challenges that assail the party. Of recent the BNF and its partners in the UDC have been uneasy with reports that some of its members want to pull out of the umbrella. He assured the party members that the BNF and its partners have not moved away from the initial agreement that the UDC will use an umbrella symbol that have discs of all three parties. 'We have not moved away from the initial agreement of using a disc with all parties' symbols as we go in to the elections. However, the process of registration that disc have been delayed by court cases that have been brought about by disgruntled former BNF members,' Boko said.
He added that the current UDC disc that has no parties' symbols is a temporary arrangement aimed at safeguarding the use of umbrella by other parties or competitors.
'We wanted to ensure that no body else other than the UDC uses the umbrella sign during elections as such the use of the plain paneled umbrella was to reserve the right to use the umbrella while awaiting the finalisation of the BNF cases,' Boko said. He cautioned against members who abuse BNF's constitutional provisions for their selfish ends. 'Some members think that the temporary platforms which are provided for in the constitution give them rights to revolt against the party. 'They think that it also gives them rights to drag the party name in the mud and trample over the party policies,' Boko said. He said once the party or the majority of members through different structures have taken a decision, it should be respected as it is binding to all members including those who did not support it initially. Boko was accompanied by the parliamentary candidate for Kanye North Kwenantle Gaseitsiwe and Secretary for Economic Affairs Osimilwe Fish who is also the parliamentary candidate for Maun East.
Addressing BNF members in Kanye over the weekend Boko said they were in negotiations with the IEC over the matter as they have discovered that the commission has no powers not to register them, citing Section 150 of the Electoral Act.Boko, who is also UDC leader, said if the negotiation fails they will be forced to take the legal route and force the IEC to register UDC symbol.
He promised the multitudes of Bangwaketse who filled Marapalalo hall that in two weeks his central committee will give them feedback on the progress made.'I am hopeful that this week or latest next week, we would have made progress failing which I will come back and take further instructions on the way forward on the matter,' Boko said. Boko made pilgrimage to his party's political home of Kanye to address members on mammoth challenges that assail the party. Of recent the BNF and its partners in the UDC have been uneasy with reports that some of its members want to pull out of the umbrella.
He assured the party members that the BNF and its partners have not moved away from the initial agreement that the UDC will use an umbrella symbol that have discs of all three parties. 'We have not moved away from the initial agreement of using a disc with all parties' symbols as we go in to the elections. However, the process of registration that disc have been delayed by court cases that have been brought about by disgruntled former BNF members,' Boko said.He added that the current UDC disc that has no parties' symbols is a temporary arrangement aimed at safeguarding the use of umbrella by other parties or competitors.'We wanted to ensure that no body else other than the UDC uses the umbrella sign during elections as such the use of the plain paneled umbrella was to reserve the right to use the umbrella while awaiting the finalisation of the BNF cases,' Boko said. He cautioned against members who abuse BNF's constitutional provisions for their selfish ends. 'Some members think that the temporary platforms which are provided for in the constitution give them rights to revolt against the party.
'They think that it also gives them rights to drag the party name in the mud and trample over the party policies,' Boko said. He said once the party or the majority of members through different structures have taken a decision, it should be respected as it is binding to all members including those who did not support it initially. Boko was accompanied by the parliamentary candidate for Kanye North Kwenantle Gaseitsiwe and Secretary for Economic Affairs Osimilwe Fish who is also the parliamentary candidate for Maun East.