13 Mar 2016

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) and the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) this Saturday conducted primary elections to select candidates who will represent them at the Phillip Matante East Ward bye elections.

The BDP had six contestants: Mr Peter Nare, Ms Elizabeth Morebodi, Ms Khabenyana Masalila, Ms Segametsi Sebenyane, Mr Ditiro Morebodi and Mr Olatotse Speakson.

Mr Nare emerged victorious after garnering 42 votes, followed by Ms Masalila with 36 and Ms Morebodi with 23.

The other three candidates, Ms Sebenyane, Mr Morebodi and Mr Speakson each got 19, 15 and six votes respectively.

The presiding officer, Mr Tosh Kgotlele said the elections went well without any incident.

The UDC had three contestants; Mr Uyapo Nyeku, Ms Lillian Griesmeir and Ms Omphile Mazebedi.

Mr Nyeku came out victorious with 133 votes, followed by Ms Griesmeir with 80 votes while Ms Mazebedi garnered 41 votes. 

The presiding officer, Mr Vincent Thupeng declared that the elections were smooth and without incident.  

The outcomes of the primary elections mean that Mr Nare and Mr Nyeku will battle it out at the ward’s bye-lection in a date to be announced. 

The seat of the ward councillor fell vacant following the death of Councillor Shadreck Nyeku in January this year. 

Mr Nyeku was a UDC councillor. ENDS