BDP rubbishes BCP on EVM election use claim
BCP fears stealing of elections through EVM by the BDP Use of EVM in 2019 was reversed following rejection by various stakeholders
The Botswana Democratic Party ( BDP) has rubbished claims by the Botswana Congress Party ( BCP) that it plans to introduce the Electronic Voting Machine ( EVM) with the aim of stealing the 2024 general election.
The EVM was to be used during the 2019 general election but President Mokgweetsi Masisi reversed the implementation after various sectors of the society led by the opposition parties vehemently opposed the use of the machine.
According to the BCP the idea behind bringing EVM is to ensure that the BDP has total control over the electoral process, including all the codes and ability to hack and manipulate even the Omang Database to deliver an ill- gotten victory to a regime that is otherwise headed for near certain electoral defeat.
“It is now clear to all and sundry that it is now virtually impossible for BDP to win a free and fair election in 2024. In the lead up to the 2019 elections, the BCP led the way by litigating to stop BDP from rigging elections through the EVM route.
“Those who have been following the recentlyheld Kenyan Elections may have read hair- raising stories of how some Venezuelans had access to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya ( IEBC)‘ s database.
“The danger with EVM is that all the electronic codes and capacity to rig would be in the hands of the BDP, a contestant in the elections. It is common cause that EVMs are known to be hackable and prone to manipulation,” the BCP spokesperson Professor Mpho Pheko wrote in a statement.
The BDP has however rubbished the claims by the BCP, indicating that EVM was initially the idea of the BCP. The BDP Communications and International Relations Committee Chairman Kagelelo Kentse rubbished the claims by the BCP labelling it a propaganda argument uttered by a party that has lost focus. Kentse said the BCP is desperately making all attempts to remain relevant after it lost same at Umbrella for Democratic Change ( UDC).
Prof Pheko proclaimed that the BDP is so advanced in its plan to rig the 2024 elections through EVM and other mechanisms and has already ensured that the institutions set up to run the elections and adjudicate over any allegations of irregularity, corrupt practices, among others are run by its deployees so that no complaint, no matter how credible, succeeds.
Just think for a moment on the quality of leadership at the IEC and the judiciary, she pondered.
“It is all systems go. These evil plans notwithstanding, the BCP is convinced that our people will this time stand up to defeat the BDP’s evil plans to rig elections and undermine the will of the people. Our people must be prepared and should stand ready to defend their vote.
“Without honest, clean, free and fair elections, the possibility of Batswana to elect a government of their choice does not exist - and the chances that BDP will rule in perpetuity without the mandate of the people is high.”
Professor Pheko stated that the battle to defend democracy in this country has become a top priority for every Motswana because if there is no democracy the country would descend into chaos and become a failed state.
She said the BCP believe it is up to Batswana to know about these plans in time and to stand ready to defend their right to vote and participate in free and fair elections.
Young people, she said must understand that they are a game changer adding that they must guard their vote by rejecting EVM.
The BCP mouthpiece said they warn civil society and all the freedom loving Batswana to be vigilant and stand ready to defend democracy.
Said Prof Pheko, “We remind the BDP government that the government priorities should be on rebuilding the economy, fixing the broken education and health systems, facilitating job creation for the youth and fighting corruption.
“For our part, the BCP is determined to do everything in our power to stop BDP from rigging elections. Every government must be founded on the free will of the people. We will therefore use all lawful means to ensure that the will of the people is not frustrated.”
However, Kentse indicated that it is shocking that the party that first brought the idea of EVM in Botswana, the BCP, now claims BDP wants to introduce EVM. He revealed that the BDP has not discussed EVM at any of its platforms, the National Council, the National Congress or Party Caucus.
“Any electoral reforms will follow due process. Batswana have recently participated in the Presidential Commission on the constitution of the republic and if electoral reforms formed part, then they will be considered with all other inputs made.
“The BCP must focus on their new marriage with AP after failing dismally at UDC. Their propaganda machinery will not win them votes. Batswana are very vigilant and they can see that there is still no alternative to the BDP,” Kentse hit back.