Commonwealth report pushes for Botswana bold electoral reforms
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday October 6, 2025 06:00
At the heart of the report lies a push for greater accessibility for the voter’s roll. The CET recommends that, in future elections, the roll should be published online, a move that would allow citizens, political parties, and civil society to verify information with ease and confidence. But accessibility, the team warns, must not come at the cost of privacy. To that end, it further calls for robust safeguards to protect sensitive personal data, urging authorities to implement strict data privacy standards that align with international best practices.
In an additional recommendation, the CET proposes the production of two complementary copies of the voter’s roll, with extra copies made available for purchase. “The team argues that would enhance equitable access and ensure that all stakeholders, especially smaller parties and independent observers, have a fair opportunity to scrutinize the electoral register,” the report states.
On other matters, the CET recommends the inclusion of voter education in the education curriculum for eligible voters. Furthermore, it recommends increased scrutiny in the voter registration process, alongside a digital or online system for consistently updating the voters’ roll, to ensure voter data is current and accurate.
Despite the recommendations, the CET further found that there is a need for the implementation of early civic and voter education campaigns, particularly targeting youth and underrepresented groups, to address voter apathy and promote informed participation. It also says the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) should make all voter materials easily available and accessible to the public, especially in rural areas. The Team further recommends increased use of social media for voter education, particularly to engage the younger generation. “To enhance voter education, the CET recommends the IEC partner with the media and civil society to strengthen analysis on key issues affecting stakeholders and ensure the effective reporting of the electoral process, especially election results,” the report revealed.
It further recommended the implementation of regulations by the IEC to limit campaign spending and require equal media access for all parties to ensure a fair and equitable campaign environment. It said there is a need for the IEC should enhance accountability by implementing more stringent monitoring and ensuring adequate ballot provisions for diaspora locations. “This would require better forecasting of voter turnout and inventory management to avoid similar issues in future elections,” it said. It also made recommendations for the amendment of the Electoral Act to make voter education and sensitisation core functions of the IEC.
Additionally, it called for transparency in access to the voters’ roll and the enhancement of processes such as ballot distribution and diaspora voting, to build stakeholder confidence in the IEC’s management of the electoral process. To enhance security and transparency and build public confidence, the CET recommends the establishment of clear, transparent protocols for transporting diaspora and domestic ballots, ensuring stakeholders are informed of the process from collection to storage.
It called on the IEC should adopt a consistent approach to processing multiple voters at a time, to reduce wait times without compromising security, for efficient queue management. With that regard, it said the IEC should implement a minimum quota of voters per polling station, thereby limiting the number of persons expected at any station Meanwhile, the report observed that the 2021 Constitutional Review process, increased competitiveness and scrutiny, challenges to dominant political party systems, a challenging economic landscape, climate change, high youth unemployment, deteriorating public infrastructure and widening inequality contributed to the highly competitive nature of the electoral process.
“Stakeholders also highlighted that support for the then incumbent Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) was also affected by the public personal feud between President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor, former president Ian Khama,” it said. “However, the IEC was insufficiently prepared, as evidenced by poor voter education, a delay in voter registration, failure to meet initial registration targets, a delay in the release of the electoral calendar, shortages of ballot papers for early voters in Botswana and the diaspora, and long processing times for voters on polling day,” added the report. The report pointed out that the Stakeholders also questioned the independence of the IEC and its credibility, based on its composition and the alleged undue influence of foreign nations.
Again, the team noted a significant underrepresentation of female candidates for elections across all political parties, as well as lack of access to media for smaller political parties, resulting in an uneven playing field for campaigns. It also noted that on election day, procedures were generally transparent, and presiding officers and polling officers conducted the process diligently, in accordance with the Electoral Act and prescribed procedures. “The CET commends voters, polling staff, citizen observers, and all other electoral stakeholders for the patience and commitment demonstrated throughout the process, despite long queues and harsh weather conditions,” it said. While Botswana continues to demonstrate its democratic principles, the need for transparency, fairness, and standardised electoral practices remains urgent, the report said.
CET report indicated that the elections and the subsequent outcomes further highlight the need for affirmative action to ensure greater inclusion of youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in politics and governance.
“The CET encourages the IEC, political parties, Civil Society Organisations and other electoral stakeholders to engage in an inclusive post-election dialogue to resolve the lack of trust that exists and to strengthen the electoral process,” it said. It further encouraged the government and other national and international stakeholders to financially support civil society and the media to ensure more robust participation and engagement.