Tafa bars 884 from Serowe North re-run
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday December 2, 2013 11:24
Though the list of those civil servants is not attached to the letter, it states that: 'We have also found strong evidence of a large number of civil servants totalling 884 who appear on the Voters' Rolls for Serowe North. This is a disturbing revelation for the reason that such civil servants are barred from participating in our Party Primary Elections by the Public Service Act and the General Orders.'
Even the electoral board decision to declare next week Saturday a day for re-run of the controversial Bulela Ditswe has left Autlwetse and his campaign team baffled as they said it was taken without affording them a hearing. In fact, the team says they still waiting for a response to their earlier complaints, key being of which was that only one player, the original loser in the primaries, MP Ramadeluka Seretse, was being entertained.
In a letter dated November 27 Tafa said they would be using the voters’ roll that was used in the primary elections which was held on November 9 but to the exclusion of all civil servants.
'We acknowledge receipt of your detailed and well considered responses from 16 candidates in support of the re-run of the whole constituency, against 13 candidates opposed to a re-run for the whole Constituency. The latter group has indicated the fresh election should be confined to Patikwane ward.'
He said having considered carefully all the representations and submissions by all the parties involved (including the Branch chairperson and Branch Secretary), they have come to the conclusion that on a proper reading of the wording and language used in Regulation 9 (f) there must be a re-run of the whole Constituency.
Autlwetse campaign manager, Molemi Leinane told Mmegi that they intend challenging the decision by the electoral board. 'We want the list of those said to be civil servants,' he said.
BDP executive secretary Lee Lesetedi said investigations of voter's rolls across board have been on going and it was done for the reasons best known by the party.
'In this case our decisions were based on findings from the investigation conducted,' he said.