People should comply with election laws - Police
Friday, October 11, 2024 | 1030 Views |
As this year’s General Election swiftly approaches, custodians of the law, Botswana Police Service (BPS) have cautioned candidates, voters, and election officials to comply with the Electoral Act. Mmegi Staff Writer, PINI BOTHOKO had a chat with the police as one of the security forces responsible for ensuring that the October 30 election is free, fair, and credible.For a while now opposition parties have been voicing concerns over potential electoral ‘rigging’ and the composition of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), selected by the Judicial Service Commission with candidates accusing each other of dirty campaigns but police as the custodians of the law calls for calmness during this period.
Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Dipheko Motube said it is important that in the spirit of democracy, everyone exercises calm and restraint during elections. He stated that it is a period that should not be marked by hostility or aggression but rather by constructive dialogue and commitment to a peaceful electoral process.
Motube said they are prepared to diligently deliver secure and peaceful elections that resonate well with the country's acknowledged democratic dispensation. He further emphasised the need to ensure the safety and security of the electorates, election observers, election officers, voters, and the nation at large pleading with everyone involved to help them achieve this mandate.
“We are more than ready as the police to help IEC to conduct free and fair elections and to protect voters to exercise their right to vote,” he said.
He revealed that the police have so far been trained to exercise the highest degree of professionalism when performing their duties before, during, and post-elections. Furthermore, he promised the police’s full presence stating they will ensure that everyone adheres to the rule of law and to be able to respect the country’s constitution.
“We are going to create a conducive environment to allow citizens to present themselves to vote and do so without any unlawful hindrance from any person. Everyone should know that any person who corruptly, directly or indirectly, pays for any entertainment, other than food or drink, to corruptly influence another person to vote or not to vote at an election, or to reward him for having voted or not having voted at an election commits the offence of treating. Voters who corruptly accept such entertainment commit the same offense,” he said.
He said no one would be allowed to campaign or solicit votes, encourage or discourage someone from voting or not voting for a certain party or an individual within a radius of 200m from a polling station. Moreover, he cautioned voters to be aware that shouting slogans of political parties like “Ae jeke pardeee, ‘ke nako’ or any other party slogan during Election Day is not allowed. “Some people have the habit of shouting their party slogans at polling stations, disturbing election processes and we will not entertain such behavior, the public should know that doing so is against the law. Additionally, no one would be allowed to take photographs, display their party cards, hold meetings within 200m radius away from the polling station, and make any announcements of elections unless such person is an election officer. The use of electronic devices including mobile phones will not be allowed at the polling booth,” Motube said.
Moreover, he said putting on party colors, having any facial or any other decorations to intermediate voters at polling stations is also not allowed, as such members of the public should be warned because doing so is against the law.
“Voter education is key in this matrix, and we are hopeful that people have been sensitized about this process, informed about their rights, the voting process, and the importance of their votes,” he said.
In fact, early election results in some areas across the country, speak to large voter turnout which suggests that voters crowded at polling stations to decide appropriately. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) revealed that 80% of the 1,037,684 people who had registered to vote turned up to exercise their right.It’s unfortunate that at the time of cobbling this editorial comment, results had just started trickling in. We recognise that...