18 Aug 2026

Parliament on Thursday rejected the Electoral Amendment Bill 2026, saying a piecemeal approach to electoral reforms was not ideal and that government should instead conduct a holistic review of the entire Electoral Act.

Tabled by Leader of Opposition and MP for Maun North, Mr Dumelang Saleshando, the Bill sought to amend the Electoral Act to allow counting of ballots for both parliamentary and council elections at polling districts and to mandate the use of transparent ballot boxes to improve transparency. 

Debating the Bill, Minister of Higher Education and MP for Tswapong North, Mr Prince Maele, said while the proposed amendments were ‘very critical’, government was already in the process of reviewing the entire Electoral Act following agreements reached at the recent All Party Conference.

 “Yes the identified amendments can help improve the process because we experience delays in counting of ballots for parliamentary candidates. Ballot boxes have to be transported to the counting centre but we should appreciate that the government is at the moment reviewing the whole act,” Mr Maele said. He added that general elections built the nation if conducted credibly and transparently, but could ‘destroy’ if they were unfair. He noted the proposed amendments were among issues raised at the All Party Conference. MP for Mahalapye West, Mr David Tshere, also supported the intent of the Bill but argued it would not be prudent to amend the Act in pieces.   “Some of us are wounded because of the irregularities we observed during elections, hence we support the proposed bill that it will indeed help dispel any suspicions and reflect the highest standards of fairness. 

But we believe that party observers should be there at the registration stage before voting and therefore all the issues require a holistic approach,” he said. 

Assistant Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Ms Maipelo Mophuting-Dikoloti, MP for Gaborone Bonnington North, also threw her weight behind the Bill but urged that the entire Act be amended.   “This is something we have been singing as opposition parties and we believe a holistic review of the act will do not to amend in pieces,” she said, adding that a technical committee had been appointed to look into the matter. Minister of Water and Human Settlement and MP for Palapye,

 Mr Onneetse Ramogapi, concurred that the reforms were long overdue but insisted a piecemeal amendment was not ideal. MP for Gamalete, Mr Boniface Mabeo, said the Bill was relevant as it sought to improve efficiency and ensure transparency. He noted that in the last general elections some constituencies took three days to complete counting of ballots for parliamentary candidates. “Counting at polling stations promotes speed and cost effectiveness as the vote counting could start as soon as the polling stations closed and results could be released faster than at a counting centre.

 Not only does the bill demonstrate transparency but it can also enhance public confidence,” he said. The mover of the Bill expressed disappointment with Parliament’s decision, accusing legislators of lacking ‘honesty, integrity and consistency’.

Mr Saleshando argued that while a full review of the Act was not wrong, the identified elements should be prioritised ahead of bye-elections expected this year. “Elections are the pillar of democracy; hence they should reflect the highest standards of credibility, fairness and free elections as well as public confidence in the democratic process,” he said. 

He told Parliament that international observers including the SADC Parliamentary Forum, African Union and the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa had recommended transparent ballot boxes and counting at polling districts to avoid logistical challenges. “By prioritising and amending the proposed Section 53 and Section 69 of the Electoral Act, we can foster more inclusive trustworthy electoral environment that encourages free and fair elections as well as higher voter turnout,” Mr Saleshando said. ENDS