UDC marshals election fraud evidence in public
Still smarting from the humiliating loss they suffered at the hands of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) will stage a series of public meetings dubbed The Peoples’ Court on last year’s controversial general elections.
This was revealed by UDC president, Duma Boko at a press conference in Francistown over the weekend. The dates and specific venues for the Peoples’ Court have yet to be revealed.
After losing the 2019 general elections, UDC, which comprises Botswana Peoples’ Party (BPP), Botswana National Front (BNF) and Botswana Congress Party (BCP) – petitioned the outcome alleging massive vote rigging. Much to the chagrin of the litigants, all the cases were dismissed with costs at the courts on technicalities. The petitioners were the candidates, who now bear the burden of paying the costs.Despite the dismissal of their cases by the courts, the UDC and Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) have remained adamant that they had evidence of vote rigging which they would have brought before the courts had they been given a chance to do so.
“We will seek guidance from experts and people with experience in these things,” said Boko at the press conference.
What is The People’s Court?
UDC Head of Communications Moeti Mohwasa explained the concept of the People’s Court thus: UDC will host the public in a court setting even in the open with their lawyers and witnesses to unravel the election irregularities the way they would have done in court had they been given the opportunity.
Reportedly, evidence of cheating will also be paraded as witnesses will be given the chance to share with the public what evidence they have.
“The idea of the Peoples’ Court is so that the parties will be able to open up to the people so that they get proper information of what happened at the elections. “You remember that the judgement, which was adverse to the opposition, was not based on the points of law. The election petitions were thrown out on technicalities. “We are bringing lawyers and witnesses to showcase evidence of the election fraud we are talking about after the judges decided to not decide,” said BPF publicity secretary, Justice Motlhabane. Meanwhile, AP is yet to be invited to the public forums. Its Secretary General Phenyo Butale said they have not been invited but if invited to the Peoples’ Court, “we will certainly consider it and take everything from there.
The UDC, BPF and AP, are gearing for the commencement of cooperation talks for both the impending by-elections and the 2024 general elections.