Mmegi

Defining moment as IEC vets out undesirables

Maroba stated that as the IEC, they implement what is in the Constitution FILE PIC
Maroba stated that as the IEC, they implement what is in the Constitution FILE PIC

To weed out undesirables from criminal records to insanity and bankruptcy, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will today scrutinise aspiring parliamentary and council candidates. This process comes a week after some presidential candidates passed the test at the High Court.

After a thorough examination, the Commission will also confirm the nomination of candidates who are fit to stand for public office as Botswana gears up for the General Election later this month. This is a critical moment for all because some political parties could find their candidates being vetted out forcing last-minute replacements.

IEC as the authority that determines whether one can contest in the upcoming elections will be guided by the constitution throughout. The IEC holds the authority to confirm a candidate's eligibility to vote, IEC spokesperson, Osupile Maroba, has highlighted. In an interview with Maroba on Wednesday, he stated that as the IEC, they implement "what is in the Constitution. The process must start with political parties. We hope members understand this Section and it applies to both Parliament and council seats."

Editor's Comment
Who watches the watchdog?

For a fact, in a democratic society such as Botswana, the media plays a crucial role of being watchdog, holding the powerful to account and exposing all possible wrongdoing for the benefit of the public.There has been a nagging question about who watches the watchdog after all? Perhaps, the investigations into alleged wrongful acts implicating those supposed to be playing the watchdog role will shed more light into what has happened such that the...

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