Should the Minister of Finance, Peggy Serame’s appeal that the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) violated regulations by not adhering to stipulated voting hours of 0600hrs -1800hrs in the first round of primary elections last weekend succeed, campaigns for the October 2024 general election will be thrown into disarray. The successful appeal could have catastrophic consequences for the party by disrupting several constituencies where voting in the primary elections also started late on Saturday and continued until the next day (Sunday). Serame is calling for the nullification of the first round of primary elections countrywide. The BDP has already acknowledged the mess, apologising to its members for the late commencement of the election process and attributing the delays to problems with external parties hired to print the ballot papers.
Serame, who was defeated by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, by a margin of 1,481 votes, argues that the party violated its primary election rules. BDP regulations stipulate that voting should start from 0600hrs to 1800hrs, which was not the case in many constituencies.
In her protest letter, Serame outlined her grievances, stating that voting in some wards, such as Mmathethe, Pitshane Molopo, and Mogojogojo, started as late as 6pm and 10pm on Saturday evening. Additionally, she noted that in certain areas, voting only began the following day, with some cells within the same ward starting on different dates. This, she argues, constitutes a clear violation of BDP’s regulations, which allow for polling station hours to be extended by no more than two hours under exceptional circumstances.
According to the BDP primary elections regulations, Dikoloti being the person affected by the appeal should be furnished with a protest letter and “may, within Mmathethe, Pitshane Molopo, and Mogojogojo, started as late as 6pm and 10pm on Saturday evening. Additionally, she noted that in certain areas, voting only began the following day, with some cells within the same ward starting on different dates. This, she argues, constitutes a clear violation of BDP’s regulations, which allow for polling station hours to be extended by no more than two hours under exceptional circumstances.
According to the BDP primary elections regulations, Dikoloti being the person affected by the appeal should be furnished with a protest letter and “may, within been advised against the appeal. We had thought that she would accept the outcome, as many others have done under similar circumstances. Many were disadvantaged by the irregularities; why does she think she is the only one affected?” said a senior party insider.
As the BDP grapples with Serame’s challenge, concerns are growing within the BDP that her appeal over primary election irregularities could set a precedent, inspiring similar challenges from other party members.
Party insiders warn that Serame’s appeal could lead to an influx of similar protests, causing internal turmoil and jeopardizing the BDP unity, which the party President Mokgweetsi Masisi has been preaching in his countrywide campaigns.
Yet, others say Serame’s protest is a curveball. “The regional committee is acutely aware of the political dynamics within our party and is struggling with several questions. Are Serame’s actions supported by the party elders? How will Dr Dikoloti’s 5,839 voters react if the party takes this route? And what impact will this have on the public perception of the party?” an insider questioned.
Among other claims Serame makes are that she “was denied a copy of the voters roll” as she “needed it to campaign among democrats.” She further says some of the people voted more than once due to the presiding officer’s “failure to use ink on the fingers of democrats who had voted.”