The UDC government says it will not investigate its own allegations of 2019 election rigging, despite maintaining that the polls were manipulated
SESUPO RANTSIMAKO
The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government has ruled out investigating allegations that the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) rigged the 2019 general elections, despite Minister for State President Moeti Mohwasa maintaining that the polls were manipulated.
Mohwasa told Ntlo ya Dikgosi that an investigation was no longer a government priority, saying the administration was concentrating on economic transformation and job creation.
Probe Ruled Out
Responding to Kgosi Khama IV, Mohwasa said it would be imprudent to pursue the allegations now that the UDC had assumed power. He confirmed that the claims had been excluded from the forensic audit commissioned by the new administration.
The decision leaves unresolved allegations the UDC repeatedly raised while in opposition.
Khama Demands Answers
Khama questioned why suspected corruption under the previous administration warranted a forensic audit while alleged electoral manipulation did not. He argued that investigating the 2019 polls could deter future interference and hold any perpetrators accountable.
“You did well in commissioning the forensic audit. Now we want the government to investigate the election rigging and hold the perpetrators accountable,” Khama IV said.
“If the UDC government believed that there are suspicions of corruption and launched a forensic audit, why can’t they do the same with 2019 election rigging?” he asked.
BDP Challenges Claims
BDP Secretary General Kentse Rammidi challenged the UDC to substantiate its allegations or stop repeating claims it could not prove. He argued that the governing coalition now had the state resources needed to investigate and pursue anyone responsible.
“If there was rigging, the UDC could have long put the evidence on the table because they have all the resources and took the perpetrators to task,” Rammidi told The Botswana Gazette.
Rammidi insisted that the UDC identify where and how the alleged rigging occurred, saying unsubstantiated accusations against the former ruling party should end.
Accountability Gap
The government’s position places its continued insistence that the 2019 election was rigged alongside a refusal to investigate the claim. Mohwasa says the economy and jobs must take precedence, while critics argue that electoral accountability cannot be left unanswered.