20 Mar 2024

Following the conclusion of the first supplementary voter registration exercise, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has resolved to conduct  another exercise from May 20 until May 31.

The IEC manager for policy development and voter education, Mr Malefho Gopolang said the supplementary voter registration, which was a build up to the general elections anticipated to be held in October, was an effort by the commission to have a significant number of the country’s eligible voting population  taking part in the election process.

He said from the supplementary voter registration exercise, which was conducted between 26 February and 15 March, 74 550 voter registrations were recorded from all of the country’s 61 constituencies. He noted that it increased the number of people who registered to vote to 810 974, or 62 per cent of the commission’s 1.3 million target. He said the low number necessitated a third registration exercise. He revealed that Jwaneng/Mabutsane, Gamalete and Boteti West were among the constituencies, which recorded the highest numbers from the just-ended supplementary voter registration.

Mr Gopolang also noted that IEC recorded a high turnout in the last two days of the supplementary registration exercise and that some voters failed to register because registration could not go beyond the stipulated times. He encouraged those who had not yet registered to take advantage of the new opportunity, adding that it was not given that the IEC would continue to have other supplementary voter registrations. “I cannot say there will be another one (supplementary voter registration). At some point, we will have to stop and start preparing for the general elections,” he said.

He said election processes such as preparing the voters roll, publicising it and its inspection were crucial to safeguard the process and needed time to stage.

He also noted that the 1.3 million target set by the commission represented 80 per cent of the eligible voting population and that there was no legal instrument which dictated the number.

Nonetheless, he said the IEC was hopeful to reach its target or even exceed it. He said the supplementary registration exercise would take place in all of the country’s 2 080 polling stations as well as the 49 polling stations in the diaspora. ends