05 Sep 2022

Newly appointed Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chairperson Justice Barnabas Nyamadzabo has promised to ensure that the organisation succeeds in delivering efficient, free and fair elections.

In an interview after taking the oath of office at Gaborone High Court yesterday, he emphasised that the task at hand was not about him but required all those involved in the election process to work together.

“Here we are dealing with the interest of the nation, not individual interest, so every one of us should do their job to make sure the commission succeeds in its duties,” he said. 

Nonetheless, he hailed the appointment saying it was a great honour for the Judicial Service Commission to have given him the opportunity to head the IEC. 

Justice Nyamadzabo takes over from Justice Abednego Tafa who retired from the bench on August 31. He had held the position of IEC chairperson since 2014. 

IEC secretary, Mr Jeff Siamisang expressed excitement  that the organisation did not experience a leadership vacuum. 

 “There is going to be continuity in the delivery of the IEC mandate and we can only promise to work very closely with our incoming chairperson,” he said. 

Justice Nyamadzabo was  sworn in by Chief Justice Terence Rannowane. ends