A surprise decision by Government to withdraw amendments to the Electoral Act, which introduced electronic voting, increased nomination fees and fines, and cancelled supplementary registration has sparked wild speculation with many suggesting that the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) fears infiltration by rogue elements in 2019. Recent reports of hacking and manipulation of voters rolls, which led to the postponement of Bulela Ditswe following a tip off from the Directorate of Intelligence and security Services (DISS) are alleged to have forced the BDP government to finally bow to pressure to abandon plans to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in 2019 general elections. The allegations of infiltration of the BDP system brought into sharp focus the reality of hacking closer home to the party in government inducing a hasty retreat. The withdrawal comes after the opposition and some within the ruling party shouted their voices hoarse without success, trying to persuade Government to reconsider and withdraw the EVM decision. "The tension within BDP has also heightened fears that manipulation (hacking) could happen from inside. EVMs have been criticised the world over and it was not like the BDP is not aware of allegations of the machines being manipulayted to deliver certain…