Botswana’s high court on Tuesday dismissed more than a dozen petitions filed by opposition parties against the parliamentary election result, reported Reuters. The opposition parties had appealed to have the results of the October general election dismissed over “irregularities in some of the constituencies.”
The voting took place on October 23. As per the results, the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) won with a majority of 38 seats, the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) got 15 seats, and two smaller parties got four between them in the 57-member parliament. President Mokgweetsi Masisi has denied UDC claims of irregularities.
“On the face of the petitions, it cannot be deduced that the people or institutions which allegedly committed the corrupt and illegal practices are election or polling agents,” said Justice Mercy Garekwe. “The petitions are therefore a nullity.”
A majority of the nine judges said they rejected the petitions as petitioners failed to provide verifying affidavits and comply with rules.
Basimane Bogopa, the lawyer for the ruling party representatives, said they feel vindicated.
Nelson Ramaotwana, one of the opposition candidates whose petition was dismissed, said the choice now is to appeal or to “go to the people.”
UDC leader Duma Boko praised the judgment.
“Even I know how painful and difficult it is to cut against the grain of conservative thought and set yourselves apart from those held hostage,” Duma noted in a Facebook post. “That’s the way of justice.”
The BDP, which has ruled the southern African country since independence from Britain in 1966, suffered a seismic jolt earlier this year in May when former president Ian Khama renounced his hand-picked successor Masisi and backed a new party.
It was expected that the October polls would offset the BDP’s hold on power and reduce its majority in parliament. But, in reality, the party secured a sweeping victory this time as well.
