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UDC registers first councilor in Goodhope

Ogopotse supporters Modibedi hoisted by fellow UDC members in celebratory mood. PIC: KAGISO ONKATSWITSE
 
Ogopotse supporters Modibedi hoisted by fellow UDC members in celebratory mood. PIC: KAGISO ONKATSWITSE

Ogopotse Modibedi garnered 1038 votes against Kopo Mononi of Botswana Democratic Party(BDP) who secured 950 votes. There were 12 spoilt votes from the six polling stations. The new councilor will represent Goodhope village amongst eight other councilors from the ruling party.

The voting went well without any incidents and the counting started at approximately 9:00 pm. It was not easy to pick the winner in the first 400 votes for which counting lasted 35 minutes as the candidates were neck and  neck

 However, UDC started opening a margin that exceeded 100 when the 1400th vote was counted.

Mononi accepted the results. “We lost because UDC is a fashionable party. We need to work harder. From here I’m going  to recharge my batteries, but life goes on,” Mononi said.

The new UDC  councilor said that as the only opposition councilor in the Goodhope sub district he will not be intimidated by the numbers. “ My focus will be to work with the community and raise their issues in council,” said Modibedi. Meanwhile, Superintendent Mogomotsi Kwapa said that the supporters of the winner celebrated their victory without any incident. This despite them thronging the entrance of the counting centre in large numbers blocking outgoing vehicles for more than 15 minutes.

The bye election was called after the two candidates tied during the October 24 general elections.