Political Parties Ready Up For By-Elections

The country has 11 vacant council seats that could have long been filled but were not due to the restrictive protocols induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of the council seats have been vacant for more than three months, which state of affairs is against the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Act that stipulates, "where a vacancy exists it should be filled within three months following the death or resignation of a councillor".

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) secretary-general, Mpho Balopi said his party is ready for the by-elections and that they have proper structures in place to make sure party procedures are followed to select candidates. “[The] Political Education Office will go to those wards to ensure that they are getting ready to select candidates.