By McGeorge Mbare
The rich diamond producer Botswana held its general elections yesterday and citizens’ are eagerly waiting for the results that will decide their political fate in the next coming five years.
The Batswana people, are waiting for the results of current elections which will determine the makeup of their country’s parliament, lawmakers and the future president. Just like any other countries Botswana had undergone challenges in their voting processes and critics from different people including their own citizens.
While voting is reported to have been conducted in a peaceful environment, there were reports that some polling stations were affected by blackouts due to cable failure with some polling stations reportedly resorting to using car headlights as lighting.
The Independent Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Barnabas Nyamadzabo highlighted that voting started a bit late in some polling stations in Botswana which led them to extend the voting hours beyond the usual 5pm.
According to the Mmegi online in Botswana, an open space polling station in Phakame in Gaborone North constituency had been struggling with lights which have seen citizens voting under car headlights and the presiding officer Ronnie Mangwala emphasized about the cause.
“Their lights malfunctioned and have been waiting for the backup light from IEC” presiding officer Mangwala stated
However besides the power crisis that people were stating which could be raise questions of election integrity, citizens will be waiting for the results to determine the integrity of the elections held.