The parliamentary seat in the constituency became vacant after the retirement of long-time MP and former Vice President Lt General Mompati Merafhe.
A press statement from the IEC says that President Ian Khama issued a Writ of Election, ordering a by-election for an MP for the constituency be held. The statement goes on to say that nominations of candidates for the constituency will be received on October 12 at Madiba Senior Secondary School between 9am and 5pm. "Any poll that may become necessary shall be taken on the 3rd November 2012," the statement reads. The nomination will essentially be just a formality as the three parties that will be contesting for the parliamentary seat have already identified their candidates. The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has identified Gaborone-based lawyer Bernard Bolele as the candidate to face the polls for them. David Tshere will be contesting for the seat on the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) ticket, while Botswana National Front (BNF) activist Abigail Mogalakwe will be contesting for the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).
