26 Aug 2024

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Chief Public Relations Officer, Mr Osupile Maroba, has drawn a clear distinction between the Commission and its Secretariat when addressing the question of the IEC’s independence. 

Addressing government media during an election coverage workshop in Francistown recently, Mr Maroba indicated that the IEC was not the Secretariat, but the Commission that holds the true reins of autonomy and impartiality. 

He explained that it was imperative to keep in mind that the real locus of authority resides within the Commissioners, not the Secretariat. 

Mr Maroba said the IEC, in its purest forum, was the Commissioners and their collective wisdom, insights, and impartiality. 

He explained that the Secretariat was merely a supporting actor, a vital cog in the electoral machine, but not the machine itself. 

“To conflate the two is to misunderstand the nature and essence of the IEC,” he added. 

Mr Maroba further indicated that the confusion was made by the fact that the President appoints the Secretary. 

However, he explained that the hands that guide the Secretariat, though appointed by the President, were the Commissioners who make up the IEC. 

He said their decisions and directives were the north star by which the Secretariat navigates, ensuring that all activities taken were in keeping with the ideals and mission of the Commission itself. 

It is therefore critical, according to Mr Maroba, to make a clear distinction between the Secretariat, whose role is that of an implementer, and the Commission, whose role is that of a decision-maker. 

He said it was unfortunate that the accusations of impartiality were directed at the Secretariat and not the Commission itself. He emphasised that it was also erroneous to generalise and cast aspersions on the IEC’s independence, when the concerns should be more accurately directed to Commission’s autonomy, not the Secretariat as the supporting staff. 

On other issues, Mr Maroba said the media played a huge role on how the society perceived things. 

In this regard, he appealed to the media, as a stakeholder, to manage the public’s individual emotions and perspectives. 

He also urged them to cross check with the law before writing or airing their stories in order to maintain peace and stability.

 “Make sure that opinions and comments are clear to avoid confusion amongst the readers,” said Mr Maroba. 

Earlier on, the Principal Information Officer with the Department of Information Services, Ms Caroline Thebe, said the objective of the training was to prepare the government media in terms of coverage, for the upcoming general election. 

She said the other objective was to enhance media knowledge on election coverage and also to promote ethical reporting. ends