22 Jul 2014

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will, after this year’s general election, conduct research to determine low voter turnout, says the chief elections officer, Ms Motlapele Raleru.

Addressing prospective candidates, returning officers and police officers for this year’s general elections, Ms Raleru said the IEC was concerned about the low number of people who registered for the elections.Eligible voters for this year’s general elections are 1.4 million. The IEC set the target of registering 1.2 million but reached 74 per cent of that number.

However, the percentage of registered people is slightly above that of 2009. Ms Raleru said the research would help the IEC determine the reasons for Batswana not to register as voters .

A previous study pointed to voter fatigue and loss of interest in political parties.She said research was important because the number of registered voters remained low even after supplementary registration.

On other issues, Ms Raleru urged the candidates to abide by the code of conduct which was signed in February 2009 by political parties.

The code applies to independent candidates as well.She emphasized that no matter the platform, botho should be the main principle which every prospective candidate should respect.

She also said despite constituting the highest number of voters, some women candidates pulled out of the race because they could not stand the use of vulgar language used during political rallies.Independent candidates in Nata/Gweta decried intimidation by some political parties, particularly those they left.

Mr Buti Mphotho, an independent council candidate, said disturbing songs have been composed about independent candidates to the extent that even during political rallies some followers were urged to shun them whenever they spot them. Responding to the concerns, Ms Raleru stressed that there should be no intimidation of others because the competition for votes should be peaceful. ENDS