11 Sep 2022

Public servants have been urged to prepare themselves to embark on a national assignments once the delimitation commission report is completed.

Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) secretary, Mr Jefferson Siamisang made this remarks during a courtesy call on Ngamiland district leadership. 

He noted that currently the commission was on a countrywide tour to consult Batswana on demarcation of constituencies. Also, he said Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution of Botswana was about to submit its report.

Mr Siamisang said there would be some ordinary provisions from the reports that would be amended through the process of Parliament while some specially entrenched provisions would not be easy to change through the ordinary process.

Such provisions, he said might need a referendum hence public servants should be prepared to administer the exercise. 

He also informed them that after delimitation report, there would be a demarcation exercise, adding that IEC relied on public servants to undertake the exercise.

Public servants, he said would be responsible for drawing ward boundaries and naming them as well as identifying polling stations and naming them.

The exercise, he said would be followed by the national voters’ roll exercise to prepare for the 2024 general elections. 

All the exercises, he said, needed public servants to mobilise resources and apply due diligence as political demarcation could determine stability of the country.

However, Mr Siamisang commended public servants for playing a key role in ensuring elections were conducted in an efficient manner since the country attained independence. The country, he said held successive general elections every five years and IEC relied on public servants to administer the exercise. 

He appreciated that public servants ensured the country remained a leader in democracy promotion through transparency in the electoral process.

Public servants, he said contributed immensely to the stability enjoyed by the country as they played a critical role in ensuring the overall electoral process was free and fair.

“Even those who observed elections hailed our country for always conducting free, fair and credible elections and this is the description we want to maintain,” he added.

Mr Siamisang cited the last general elections held in 2019, saying they had delivered to their best ability despite the challenges encountered.

The election exercise, he said was a sensitive national call, adding that district leadership ensured the highest standards of professionalism, impartiality and fairness in conducting elections.

The North West District commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka assured IEC secretary of support from the region, noting that they always tried their best to avail resources for the success of any national activity.

“We have experience in exercises such as demarcation and we are ready for any possibility that may come. Although some of our sub-districts are not well resourced. We however commit ourselves as leadership to give guidance to achieve the expected goal,” he added.

Deputy council secretary, Mr Mphaphi Kgomotso concurred that national calls were not new to them and assured Mr Siamisang that they were ready to pledge resources and undertake the exercise with due diligence. ends