Register and vote
Staff Writer | Friday June 6, 2014 14:54
Party primary elections
Unless any changes take place in the run-up to the October general elections, this year, there will three contesting parties, Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC). UDC is a cooperating partner of three parties – Botswana National Front, Botswana Peoples Party and Botswana Movement for Democracy.
For someone to vote in the party primary elections, one has to have a membership card for that party, Identity number (Omang) and to be on the party’s voters roll. As most party primary elections are over, the winner at the primary elections will then represent the party in the general elections.
General elections
While voting for a party in the general elections is the norm in Botswana, it is important, however, that at times one casts a vote for a credible candidate who best represents the electorate. For someone to vote during general elections, you need to have first registered with the Independent Electoral Commission and be issued with a voter’s registration card.
On election day, you will have to go to the polling station you are registered at, produce your Voter registration card and ID. You will be given two ballot papers, one for council and another for the parliamentary candidate. On the ballot paper will be names and pictures of contesting candidates, their parties and party symbols. In certain constituencies and wards, there may be independent candidates (known as Mekoko), who in the ballot will be specified as such.
What happens before elections?
The President will dissolve Parliament to give way for a new one that will be announced after elections.
What happens on election day?
The President remains in power until a day before elections. The Chief Justice automatically becomes President on election day until the leader of the winning parry is announced and inaugurated.