For the first time in Botswana's history, the IEC had to justify shortage of ballot papers in an elections year. During the previous weekend, election officers, including civil servants, participated in advanced voting. This weekend, three locations, including; Kanye, Tati West, and Thamaga will hold their elections due to identified irregularities. The IEC has promised that arrangements will be made for those who missed their votes. “If some officers are voting in the same area, a vehicle will be provided to ensure they can cast their votes without queuing like the general public. For those voting from distant locations, they can either vote this weekend or be released to vote on election day. No one will be denied the opportunity to vote. We are committed to transparency and will communicate with all stakeholders,” IEC spokesperson, Osupile Maroba, said in a Wednesday interview.
He emphasised that the issue arose from a lack of accurate numbers regarding those eligible to vote on the day. Moreover, he said 10 polling stations in the Diaspora would also hold elections over the weekend. The IEC spokesperson explained that the shortage of ballot papers over the weekend was due to civil servants not disclosing their voting locations, leading to poor planning. He noted that if they had accurate numbers, this issue could have been avoided. He pointed out that the number of civil servants had increased, including police officers, whom they also lacked precise figures. Initially, he estimated that only 12, 000 officers were estimated to vote, but he later realised that the actual numbers exceeded expectations. Consequently, the demand on voter registration day was higher than they could accommodate. The country is going for its General Election next week Wednesday and already there are fears that the IEC wants to deny civil servants their right to vote. Already, concerned people are questioning the model the IEC will use to ensure that civil servants including police officers are voting when assigned to be on different sites during voting time.
At the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) recent press briefing, the pressure group's leader Mike Keakopa said: “We can’t allow the IEC to violate established laws to favour any party. There are clear indications of rigging. This is our country, and we must protect it. It is unaccepted for the IEC to have shortage of ballot papers. Our country has never had this situation. Why now?” However, President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Wednesday at a local radio debate, said: “It is unfortunate that the IEC had shortage of ballot papers during elections that were held on Saturday. As the Botswana Democratic Party, we have trust that the IEC would hold free and fair elections. Mistakes do happen but it can be protected.” He said they cannot doubt the IEC now, over a mistake that happened over the weekend as they would rectifying it.
