Speaking during the closing ceremony of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) symposium held in Gaborone on Friday, Mophuting reflected on Botswana’s historical journey and the lessons it continues to offer in democratic development. She said the nations can only remain stable when elections are managed with transparency, and when leaders govern with integrity. “Our country’s history has taught us that although maintaining peace is critical, it is electoral justice that defines the integrity of a democracy,” she stated. “True democracy is not measured merely by the absence of violence, but by the trust, fairness, and accountability embedded in every step of the electoral process.” Mophuting acknowledged that the symposium was more than just a forum for dialogue; it was a call to action. “We leave this symposium with more than just lessons,” she said. “We leave with a responsibility. A responsibility to return to our respective nations and institutions and apply the knowledge we gained.”
She stressed that the work ahead is both practical and deeply consequential. According to Mophuting, it is the duty of leaders, institutions, and stakeholders to ensure that every citizen is empowered to cast their vote with full confidence, not just in the system, but in the assurance that their voice will be heard and protected. “It is our responsibility to guarantee that citizens are not only encouraged to participate in elections, but that they do so knowing their voices will not be lost, manipulated, or silenced,” she emphasised. Throughout her address, Mophuting revealed that the idea that democratic stability is not self-sustaining. Rather, she said it requires active and ongoing commitment to principles of justice, transparency, and accountability. Electoral processes, she noted, must go beyond technical administration and become genuine instruments of citizen empowerment. As the symposium drew to a close, delegates were urged to take concrete steps in applying what they had learned.
