04 Aug 2024

Botswana fully embraces the critical role played by elections in fostering competitive and participatory democracy, acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Lorato Plaatjie has said.

Addressing diplomats on preparations for the October general elections, Ms Plaatjie said Botswana subscribed to advancing constitutionalism, the rule of law and a culture of democracy that ushered holding of inclusive elections.

She said Botswana, as Africa’s longest and uninterrupted democracy, was also committed to championing democratic principles and promoting an environment that continually advanced holding free, fair, transparent, peaceful and credible elections.

“Democracy is part and parcel of our national story as it is a value enshrined in our identity as a nation, as well as in our cultural norms and systems such as the kgotla system and our spirit of Botho (humility) and Therisanyo (consultations),” she said.

She said diplomatic corps were key stakeholders in the country’s democratic process, thus the need to update them on Botswana’s state of preparedness for this year’s general elections.

“Indeed, a briefing such as this one, is pertinent given the significant impact that the holding of regular elections has in the promotion of democratic practices, values and principles,” she said.

She highlighted that facilitation for observation of the country’s elections was in line with the legal framework governing the general elections and the SADC principles and guidelines among other frameworks.

Accordingly, Ms Plaatjie said various regional and international election observer groups would be invited to observe the elections.

For her part, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Angola to Botswana, Dr Beatriz Antónia Manuel De Morais commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for availing a platform for diplomats to appreciate and partake in Botswana’s democratic process.

Dr Morais also commended the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for nurturing transparency in the election process through inviting both the SADC and AU election observers.

She said Botswana was renowned for championing democracy and rule of law because the country had conducted free, transparent and fair elections since its independence.

“Botswana has conducted free elections  every five years while ensuring that the Presidential terms are strictly  observed, thus  the  diplomatic  corps  are  confident on  Botswana’s  approach towards  delivering  credible  general elections  this year,” she said.

IEC Secretary, Mr Jefferson Siamisang said the commission was at a critical stage of the electoral cycle and was working round the clock to put in place all measures required to conduct transparent, fair and credible election process.

Mr Siamisang said  a total of 1 037 684 eligible voters had registered to vote which was 80 per cent of the 1.3 million target set against the 1.7 million county’s voting population.

He said 764 539 eligible voters of which 54 per cent were women, 46 per cent men and 32 per cent were youth, had registered during the general voter registration. In addition, 74 404 voters of which  43  per cent were  women, 57 per cent  men and 40  per cent  youth, registered in the first supplementary while in the second supplementary registration, 197 021  voters comprising 54  per cent  women and 46  per cent men had registered to vote.

He said 2 520 registrations were rejected due to various reasons ranging from age eligibility to national identity cards related matters.  ENDS