Masisi 'Magic' Inspires BDP To Victory
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday March 26, 2018 18:00
The residents of Sehibidung, Molomoojang, Molapowabasadi and Ralekgetho on Saturday took to the polls and gave the incoming president his desired gift. This is despite the fact that on paper, the numbers favoured opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) over Masisi’s Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and newcomers Alliance for Progressives (AP).
Out of the 923 eligible voters, 627 took to the polls with Motlhajoe getting a lion’s share of 339 votes, as Mokganedi Monare of the UDC got 233 votes while Mothusiemang Malwetsi of the AP got a mere 45 votes. Ten ballots were spoilt.
In 2014, the BDP won the ward with 291 votes, Botswana Congress Party (BCP) got 270 votes while the UDC was voted by 218 people. Despite this, Masisi has been constantly at the ward campaigning for Motlhajoe in addition to his official farewell meetings he has been holding in the ward and other areas of the constituency. After his victory, Motlhajoe told The Monitor that he believes Masisi’s ascension to presidency worked for him.
“I always believed that I would win as I was the best candidate. I also understood the vision of our late leader and intend to continue where he left. I have to acknowledge that being under Masisi’s wing played a big role in my victory. He was always there and people listen to him as they are aware of his capabilities,” he said. Motlhajoe, who celebrated his 30th birthday earlier this month, said his priority will be the issue of roads.
“You might have seen when you went around the polling stations that the roads are very bad. Our late councillor had always advocated for roads and I will continue where he left. I will also speak out for our people to have better water supply amongst other things,” Motlhajoe said before dozens who had been waiting took him away in song.
When The Monitor team visited polling stations shortly before they closed, returning officers stated that all went well except a few cases of some individuals who did not have Omang cards but were holding on to their receipts. Those whose Omang cards were ready managed to get them on the day and voted while others who applied for the cards late had to go back home without casting their votes.