The Independent Electoral Commission Botswana (IEC) has declared yet another supplementary voter’s registration period after a 38% significant shortfall in the target of registered voters. Currently the figure stands at 810 974 which translates to 62% of their targets.
The decision comes after the just ended supplementary registration which was only held at the IEC offices failed to attract the desired number of registered voters ahead of the 2024 General Election. From the first supplementary IEC spokesperson Osupile Maroba stated that they managed to register only 74 550 voters which is not really what they were hoping for.
In explaining the impediment registration, Maroba highlighted that the IEC will be resorting to the set up used in general voters’ registration. He further indicated that the next voters' registration will run for two weeks.
“The next supplementary registration will be from May 20 to May 31st, 2024 and this supplementary registration will be conducted at all polling stations including those in the diaspora,” he said.
Maroba added that the decision to resort to the initial set up is because of the low turnout in the just ended supplementary registration. He expressed hope that by doing this, they will reach a wider audience and encourage citizens to participate more in electoral processes. Meanwhile, citizens are encouraged to take the opportunity of the next supplementary registration which might be the last for one to register for elections to ensure they can exercise their right in the coming elections in few months time.
