TO : Student Community FROM : Electoral Office DATE : 07 April 2014 RE: ELECTIONS UPDATE AND COUNTING OF BALLOT PAPERS The above captioned matter bears reference. 1. On the 4th April 2014, I received reports that GS26 candidate for Minister of Academic Affairs and Minister of Justice attacked and assaulted members of electoral team and UB security personnel. They were also reports that senior members of BCP instigated confusion and chaos at Morghul polling station 2. I also understand that Chilliboy Tumiso Rakgare and Leader of Opposition in parliament, MP Dumelang Saleshando were calling for elections to be cancelled. At one point MP Dumelang Saleshando was chased from Morghul polling station because he attempted to instigate chaos. The Saleshando incident occurred during lunch time. 3. Towards 5pm I also received a report in relation to the 14 ballot papers at Morghul polling station, the said ballot papers were for all the 13 contested SRC positions. The extra one (1) ballot was for the post of vice president which makes it 14 ballot papers in total. 4. The voter (student) who was given an extra ballot paper was interviewed together with the IEC member who issued the said ballots and she confirmed that the extra ballot was given to her by mistake (miscount). The IEC member also confirmed that she miscounted the ballots and had no motive to give her an extra ballot paper. 5. The said student did not put any of the 14 ballots into the ballot box (es), she also confirmed that she is not affiliated to any political formations in UB and she was just an innocent voter. 6. In light of the above mentioned reasons there was confusion and elections were thereafter called off after the advice I got from the student judiciary in terms of the electoral rules and regulations. 7. I, Moagi Gaboratwe, the Chief Electoral Officer for the 2014/15 SRC elections further sought legal advice in the matter. After receiving further advice, I came to a term considered conclusion that extending elections by two (2) hours will not assist the situation in view of the assaults visited on my electoral committee members and UB security personnel. 8. To this end, I invoke powers vested on me as the Chief Electoral Officer, and direct that there will be no further elections. With powers vested on me, I then instruct the electoral committee members to gather at Morghul Refectory at 1300hrs (1pm) in preparation for the counting of ballot papers. This decision is done due to the fact that the safety of the Electoral was and will be at stake should voting continue. 9. By copy of this letter it serves to notify all the above mentioned addresses pertaining to the counting of ballot papers at 2pm at Morghul Refectory. I therefore call upon UBCD (BCP), GS26 (BDP), UDC AND Independent candidates to forward names of counting observers to the chief electoral officer on or before 1pm at Morghul Refectory polling station. I will only allow one counting officer per ballot box from each party and for contestant. I will further allow one alternate counting officer to relief during emergency period. 10. Failure to comply with the aforesaid instruction will not nullify and/or affect the validity of the counting process and/or outcome thereof. 11. I further instruct the SRC and/or Director Campus to ensure that there is maximum security at the Morghul Refectory to safeguard the integrity of the counting process. 12. I further call upon the student community to be extra vigilant of external forces hell bent of creating mayhem and chaos on campus during the elections. Let us be cautious of them and protect our property, dignity and election process. 13. I advice all the stakeholders and/or interested parties that no appeal will be entertained during the counting process. Those grieved by either the counting process or outcome are advised that such appeals or grievances shall be dealt with in terms of the SRC constitution. Furthermore I invite all members of electoral committee for a meeting at 11:00 am at SRC Chambers office 168. Thank you ______________ Moagi Gaboratwe Cc- Student Judiciary
Posted on: Mon, 07 Apr 2014 08:03:25 +0000
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