Parties clash over polling agents

Onalenna Kelebeile | Tuesday January 24, 2017 16:32

It is understood that during the preparatory meetings, both parties together with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and other stakeholders, agreed that though it is a normal practice that each party brings two polling agents, this time only one was necessary given that it was a by-election that would not need much reinforcement.

However, the BDP later demanded an explanation as to why the Electoral Act was violated as it relates to the number of polling agents. The BCP on the other was unyielding as it maintained an agreement was reached.

BDP agent, Gaethuse Morake said as the ruling party they were under instruction to ensure that the law was enforced and jealously guarded.

“There is no agreement that can be entered into without following the law. We wanted to know where the provision that empowers the returning officer to alter the Act was coming from. Whether we are winning or losing as the ruling party, the law must be followed,” he said.

Morake, who is also a specially elected councillor in Palapye, said: “I was informed that presiding officers denied some of our polling agents access into the polling stations despite the fact that they had authorisation letters. This embarrassed our agents and the noise that arose made them feel as if they were trespassing,” he added.

It was finally agreed that the parties secure second polling agents to make them two in all polling stations, especially those within Palapye. They were given about two hours to do so, but at the end of that time, BCP had located only three meaning that they ended up with one agent in some polling stations.

BCP election agent, Onneetse Ramogapi was unhappy that they had to renege on an initial agreement to have one polling agent per polling station.

“We had to yield to reach a compromise. We made a verbal agreement together with the BDP, but they changed their mind to quote the law, yet even one polling agent was not against the law,” he said. Ramogapi explained that initially they had appointed two agents, but had to release others after an agreement was made, hence it was difficult to round them up again as they had already been assigned other party duties.

He said they were very much aware of the BDP tricks of trying to disrupt the elections.

“Verbal agreements are recognised by the law therefore it was not against the law to have one agent in each polling station,” said Ramogapi.

Returning officer Ernest Phiri explained during an interview that the law says they may appoint two agents, but the candidates submitted only one after an agreement was made, but one candidate felt that there was need for reinforcement.

“We are happy that the issue was resolved amicably and the two parties agreed to bring two polling agents.

IEC principal elections officer, Molatlhegi Baloi said he was made aware of the situatio,n but is yet to receive an official report from the returning officer.