Khama sitting on Tlokweng writ
Staff Writer | Wednesday March 8, 2017 18:00
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has absolved themselves from the delay to hold the by-election in Tlokweng
President Ian Khama is the one who has to issue the writ for the by-election.
“Failure to issue the writ in time does not affect us as the IEC. It only inconveniences the parties because they have to organise and locate where their voters are. Remember, some have to ask for permission well in time for them to vote. The IEC is ready to hold elections at any time,” IEC spokesperson Osupile Maroba said.
Maroba said it is up to the President to issue a writ. Unlike with a council seat, the timeframe for constituency election has not been specified.
The timeframe is only specified in Local Government Act when a councillor dies or leaves the job. It says the election for such post or vacancy shall be held within 90 days. It has been more than three months since the Member of Parliament for Tlokweng, Same Bathobakae died.
The opposition is accusing the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) for the delay because “their house [BDP] is not in order”.
The IEC Electoral Act Section 34 says, “For purpose of a general election to the National Assembly or of a by-election to fill a vacancy therein caused by death, resignation or otherwise, the President shall issue a writ under the Public Seal of Botswana addressed to the retaining officer of each constituency of which a member is to be returned, fixing at place and day at on and which and hours between which the returning officer will receive nominations of the candidate for elections”.
Political analyst, Anthony Morima accuses the President for holding Tlokweng constituency at ransom. “This is a worst scenario because there is nothing forcing the President to issue a writ quickly. There is no timeframe given. The President is now holding the constituency at ransom because his party is not yet prepared or they are resolving inner party dynamics,” Morima said.
Goodhope-Mabule by-election was issued just over a month after former MP James Mathokgwane’s resignation. He resigned on May 27, 2015 and the writ was issued in July 9, 2015 and a by election was held on August 16, 2015.