Commonwealth report pushes for Botswana bold electoral reforms

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.