02 May 2018

Public officers have been advised to renew their expired identity cards to prepare themselves for 2019 general elections registration exercise.

Principal elections officer, Mr Guylord Ralokwae said this during labour day commemorations on May 1 when sensitising officers on Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reforms.

He told them that they should register in large numbers during general registration as there would be no supplementary registration.

He informed them that preparations for the 2019 general elections were ongoing adding that general registration would start from September 3 to November 11.

Polling stations would be open Monday to Sunday to cater for those who could not make it during the week.

Mr Ralokwae noted that civic voter education was also ongoing to educate, motivate and acquaint public officers on elections and democratic issues in preparation for the 2019 general elections.

He said the IEC office in Maun had put up some adverts to recruit enumerators or officers who would conduct the registration exercise scheduled for 10 weeks.

Mr Ralokwae further informed them about the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) whch he said aimed at improving the voting process, adding that the machines had not yet been procured.

For his part, Attorney Wame Tafa from Lungile Legal Practice said labour movement in Botswana came a long way.

He emphasised the need for government to review and revise all the laws relating to employees, adding that government should respect and value workers by addressing challenges they faced.

He said ‘life of a worker is a life of struggles which could be done away by those who have been put in Parliament to represent the public.’

In addition, Attorney Tafa said such struggles could also be done away by the resurrection of the Public Service Bargaining Council and “struggles which we implore the new administration under the leadership of President Mokgweetsi Masisi to interrogate and thereafter address.”

He also said workers needed to unite adding that it was only when they were united that they could speak with one voice.

Attorney Tafa said trade unions should not be adversaries noting that they must not compete amongst themselves as they were fighting from the same corner.

Bahiti Temane region chairperson, Mr Raselepe Matheakgomo urged public servants not to align to any political parties.

He said they should understand their role as officers and avoid taking part in political activities.

He also urged them to register in large numbers as there would be only one window for registration. ENDS