05 Sep 2024

The Secretary of Independent Electorate Commission (IEC) Mr Jefferson Siamisang has clarified that there is currently no provision for the IEC to publish the voters roll on its website. 

This statement came in response to concerns raised by several councillors seeking increased accessibility for voters roll.

Speaking during the Nort West District Special Full Council meeting in Maun on Tuesday, Mr Siamisang emphasised that  IEC intended to comply with the Data Protection Act before making the voters roll available for easy inspection online. “Once we are fully compliant with the Act, we will explore options for public access through our website,” he stated.

As stipulated by the Electoral Act, the IEC is responsible for compiling a new voters roll ahead of each general election.

“This voters’ roll is operational throughout the entire electoral cycle, with Section 7 of the Act outlining procedures for its creation,” he said.

He said, after generation of the voters roll,  the public is allowed to inspect it at the the commission’s secretary’s office and designated locations like the District Commissioner’s office. Mr Siamisang informed council members that individuals could request physical copies of the voters  roll or specific sections at a fee, but highlighted that only hard copies were provided, with no soft copies available.

He further stressed the importance of individual responsibility, stating, “It is the voter’s duty to ensure their details are accurately reflected in the roll.” He noted that the law allowed for an 80-day inspection period and cautioned that voters who have lost their registration cards would be barred from exercising their right to vote on election day. He urged the community to safeguard their registration cards, as they were essential for participating in the democratic process.

Councillor Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotlho, representing the Khwai/Mababe ward, voiced dissatisfaction with the IEC’s current procedures. He criticised the commission for not providing the voters roll online, asserting that the existing arrangements do not adequately serve the needs of the majority of voters.

“The IEC has not utilised simple solutions that could significantly benefit the citizens.”

Additionally, Mr Ntsogotlho expressed frustration over the IEC’s lack of public outreach, stating, “We expected your office to hold kgotla meetings, engage with civil society, and promote awareness across different segments of society, but that did not materialise.”

He also highlighted the absence of a post-election briefing with stakeholders following the 2019 elections as another missed opportunity for transparency and engagement.

Councillor for Bojanala ward, Mr Luke Motlaleselelo, said there was inspection of the roll in his ward unlike in the previous elections where it was inspected in all the kgotlas.

 Councillor for Thamalakane North, Ms Gakologelwang Bethia, wanted to know what would happen to people who had lost registration cards.

Mr Siamisang said IEC was operating in accordance with the electoral law citing that elections were conducted in accordance with the established legal framework of Botswana and internationally recognised principles and standards.

He said IEC, as the election management body,  assured political parties and voters that his office would diligently execute its mandate saying they would ensure that elections were conducted freely, fairly and in a transparent manner. Ends