BDP denial, must it be swallowed?
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
“The 21 Infantry Battalion is a military unit with about 1000 soldiers and consists of more than four companies commanded by a lieutenant colonel… We have been reliably informed that the advance party of the deployed unit will leave Selebi-Phikwe on August 28, while the main body leaves on September 6 and returns in November (that’s after the elections 24th October 2014). We are further informed that there are no arrangement for troops to return to Selebi-Phikwe to vote.”
One expected, as usual, this researched statement of disenfranchisement of such a large contingent of voters to be explained away by the BDP government who have become a cunning embodiment of elections cheats, but not to be denied.
When claims of such gravity are made, especially by a sitting Assistant Minister they cannot be brushed aside, delayed, or treated as routine political noise. Even the Ombudsman has confirmed receipt of a report from a political party and a review of these complaints is now underway. That is a necessary first step. But it is only the beginning. The seriousness of the allegations demands urgency, transparency and clarity. The public is entitled to...