The newly appointed Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) consultant Gabriel Seeletso has refuted suggestions that he is the reason behind the ruling Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) prolonged grip on power. Opposition has labeled Seeletso, who has been at helm of the IEC for almost three decades, a BDP agent who ensures that the BDP wins election by hook or crook. For many years, opposition parties have been pointing accusing finger at Seeletso for their failure to wrestle power from the political grouping that has been at helm since the country’s independence in 1966. At an Electoral (Amendments) Act consultative meeting held at the Francistown civic centre on Wednesday evening, former Francistown West Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Habaudi Hobona accused Seeletso of being biased towards the ruling party. Despite praising Seeletso for presiding over peaceful and successful but unfair elections for almost 28 years, Hobona chastised the IEC consultant for acting “as a BDP stooge” before, during and after every election. “How could you select another politician to welcome us and urged to accept the amendments sought in the Electoral Act?” rhetorically asked the pintsized politician. Hobona was against having the Francistown mayor, Sylvia Muzila offer welcome remarks. According to Hobona,…