PPADB shows BCP middle finger
Oarabile Mosikare | Wednesday April 26, 2017 18:00
On April 4, 2017 the BCP slapped the PPADB with a letter threatening that should the parastatal continue with the purchase of the EVMs, in seven days the party will approach the Court and they shall bear the costs.
BCP attorney Martin Dingake reminded the PPADB that on March 20, 2017 they approached the High Court challenging the Electoral (Amendment) Act which provides for the replacement of voting by ballot paper with voting by EVM. The case is before Justice Lot Moroka.
In response in a letter dated April 19, 2017, the PPADB said the recent board meeting highlighted that it was not aware of any Court order directing it to act in any manner in relation to the procurement of EVMs.
“Kindly be advised that the board at its sitting of the 13th April 2017 noted your communication and took the view that it previously addressed a similar request by Botswana Congress Party (BCP) for suspension of procurement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs),” the PPADB correspondence read.
The board noted that it is not cited, neither are there any orders against it in the summons filed at Francistown High Court by Phumaphi Chakalisa and Company relating to the procurement of EVMs.
“Despite these observations, the board advises that the concerns raised in your letter be directed to the procuring entity being the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) responsible for the procurement of EVMs as it is the entity that makes a determination on the progression of the procurement process.”