This is an important role and we take it with pride but most importantly with the seriousness it deserves. We have always recognised the Independent Electoral Commission's (IEC) successful conduct of every election in the past. The IEC does this relatively successfully under the circumstances and most Batswana have respect for its role in ushering in a new government every five years. The IEC is thus an important role-player in the conduct of elections.
General elections are upon us yet again and the IEC has until recently done quite a laudable job of preparing for the polls so that every Motswana gets a fair chance to cast his or her vote. Record numbers have registered to vote thanks to the IEC. These people reasonably expected to get the chance to vote. However the IEC has made a tragic mistake - it failed to allow those who will be on duty during the day of the elections a chance to cast their vote. These officers now find themselves in that unenviable position of having to choose either to go and exercise their constitutional right to vote or to be on duty as other citizens cast their ballots.
