Serame’s appeal on Thursday, Dikoloti seeks dismissal
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday August 6, 2024 12:40
Minister of Finance Peggy Serame, who lost to Minister of Health Edwin Dikoloti, has opposed the election outcome and as per the party constitution for appeals has lodged a petition within the stipulated seven days. In response to her appeal, Dikoloti argued that Serame's general claims of irregularities affected all candidates who were involved in the election and, without personal prejudice, are insufficient grounds for an appeal. He urged that her appeal be dismissed. In a letter dated August 1, in which Dikoloti was responding to her appeal, he said: “That the election was held on different dates in the same constituency: Whereas this is correct, this was the situation in all constituencies due to delays necessitated by some logistical challenges that the party through its spokesperson Banks Kentse, explained.
That polling stations at Cwagare-Mokatako were changed: this is also an issue that affected us equally as the two candidates. That then, didn't give undue advantage to any of us.” When responding to the missing names on the voters' roll, he admitted to calamity and said it also affected him because some of my supporters could not vote. He continued: “This was also a common challenge for other constituencies.
Therefore, the said omission didn't only affect Serame but affected me and all other candidates who took part in these elections.” Furthermore, on the issue that he was denied access to the voters' roll during the campaign, Dikoloti explained that none of the candidates had access to the voters' roll as it was still being finalised by the party and was only ready very late. He pointed out that he has experienced the same challenge but continued with the campaign nevertheless, as Serame also did. Therefore, the situation also affected both of them equally. In her appeal, Serame said that there was factionalism and unfairness exhibited by returning officers. “I must state that I didn't notice any bias or favouritism bordering on factionalism that was exhibited by the returning officers.
Neither did I see or hear any of the returning officers who were shouting any slogan associated with me,” he said.
While on the issue that some voters did not use ink and voted more than once, he emphasised that perhaps the presiding officers may answer this one better. He, however, said that even if some people voted more than once, which would be regrettable, he challenged the evidence on the matter and that if indeed those individuals voted for him. In that regard, Dikoloti said this can't warrant a re-run of the election. As for the intimidation of supporters by him, he said he had never done it since he needed the support of all voters. He said no candidate could ever have known, who amongst the thousands who turned up to vote, would vote for which candidate, therefore, he couldn't have taken any risk to intimidate any voter, as that would have reduced his chances of winning.
On the issue of whether he had transported election officers, he said the allegation was as untrue as it was defamatory. “I am a staunch democrat who has participated in many party and national elections. I therefore could not participate in unethical practices as alleged. I swear that I never transported any election officer and would request that if Serame insists, then she should provide proof.” He further emphasised that the reasons advanced by Serame to call for the nullification of the results of the parliamentary primary election in this constituency can't stand.
“They fail the most important test, being that, assuming that all allegations she says are true, then how did that advantage any one candidate? It appears to me that whatever shortcomings this election may have had, the shortcomings affected each candidate equally. This, therefore, means that, if we take the position that this was an unfair election, it would mean that the election was unfair to all participants,” he said. Moreover, he said Serame should also be reminded of the 59th National Council Resolutions of the BDP, resolutions number 21 and 26 to be specific, which will help in putting up a proper appeal.