13 Jun 2024

The departments crucial for the successful organisation of the upcoming general elections have been encouraged to assess their preparedness to ensure the elections are conducted fairly and transparently.

Speaking at a recent retreat, the Public Relations Officer of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Mr Osupile Maroba, highlighted the importance of the media’s involvement in the electoral process. He emphasised the need for competent and impartial execution of duties to uphold the integrity of the elections, stressing that free and fair elections were essential for democracy.

Mr Maroba underlined the sensitivity of elections and the potential consequences of errors or failures, urging participants to strive for perfection in their planning and execution.

 He warned against any loopholes that could be exploited to disrupt the electoral process and emphasised the timely allocation of resources to meet deadlines and maintain the credibility of the elections.

“As departments facilitating the elections, we need to plan carefully and well on time to avoid any small mistakes. We have to avail resources to meet deadlines to maintain the credibility of the elections,” he added.

Several challenges were identified, including the vastness of constituencies, difficult terrains affecting access to polling stations, as well as language and cultural barriers. 

Mr Maroba also outlined the election timetable leading up to the 2024 general elections, including activities such as roll certification, candidate nominations, and roll inspections as required by the Electoral Act.

Regarding the demarcation of polling districts, it was disclosed that a total of 609 polling districts were established within 61 constituencies, with over 2 800 local polling stations set up and 49 polling stations designated for the Diaspora following a demarcation exercise in September 2023. 

For her part, the Permanent Secretary, Government Communications, Ms Montlenyane Baaitse, appreciated the IEC for sharing critical information saying it would help them to plan better for the upcoming elections. 

She appreciated that the leadership in communication comprising of deputy permanent secretaries and directors, senior editors and producers from various departments were present to have first-hand information that was essential for them to plan and rationalise resources. 

“We have a common bottom line to deliver a well executed 2024 general elections, which promote a peaceful environment, promotes informed citizenship, encourage dialogue and understanding, counters divisive narratives, and upholds democratic values. 

We will indeed fulfill our mandate to serve the public interest and foster a culture of peace and unity that the public media must contribute to the stability and harmony of our society during electoral periods,” she added. 

Ms Baaitse further noted that they would discuss and have input on the draft Government Communication Assurance Framework, which would be rolled-out across all 18 ministries once endorsed by all stakeholders. 

The framework, she said, would assist them to communicate better with their internal and external stakeholders as well as help them in mitigating and managing all potential incidences that may impact negatively on the image and reputation of the people and country. 

Communication she said was about managing risk, especially risks associated with image and reputation of the country and civil liberties, which may emanate from how they treat beneficiaries of government policies and programmes and above all consumers of government services. 

Ms Baaitse revealed that through the three-days retreat, they were would come up with a roadmap towards service excellence in election reporting noting that to the public media, service excellence during election time was ethical and fair reporting. Ends