The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was constituted by an Act of Parliament (see Constitution Amendment Act No.18 of 1997). Section 65A also prescribes the composition of the Commission. The IEC is autonomous and non-partisan. The Commission comprises seven (7) members headed by a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson, who are a judge of the High Court and a legal practitioner respectively. The two are appointed directly by the Judicial Service Commission. The Judicial Service Commission also appoints five (5) other members from a list of persons recommended by the All-Party Conference.

The IEC is an autonomous non-partisan organisation which is committed to providing equal and equitable service to Batswana without fear or favour, through conducting and delivering free and fair elections in an efficient and effective manner, according to universally accepted electoral principles, procedures and practices. These include arranging for and conducting elections of members of the National Assembly and Local Government as well as conducting referenda.

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Honourable Mr. Justice J.Z Mosojane (Chairperson)
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Prof. Otlhogile (Deputy Chairperson of IEC & Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee)	Prof. Balefi Tsie (Chairperson of the Information / Education Committee)
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Mr S.T. Meti ..(Chairperson of the Human Resources Committee)	Rev.K.F. Mokobi (Chairperson of the Finance & Logistics Committee)
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Mr S. Grant (Commissioner)	Mr K.T. Ngwamotsoko (Chairperson of the Liason & Dispute Resolution Committee)
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Commission's tenure of office

The life of the Commission spans over two successive lifes of Parliament or ten years.

Functions of the Commission

Section 65A of the Constitution of Botswana defines the functions of the Commission as follows:

• To conduct and supervise elections of the elected members of the National Assembly and members of a Local Authority;
• To conduct Referenda;
• To ensure that elections are conducted efficiently, properly, freely and fairly;
• To give instructions and directives to the Secretary of the Commission in regard to the exercise of his functions under the Constitution and electoral laws in general; and
• To perform such other functions as Parliament may by law prescribe.

Mission

The IEC is committed to managing the electoral process effectively and efficiently and without prejudice, through the conduct of free and fair elections, run according to Botswana's electoral laws (Electoral Act and Referendum Act), rules and regulations, and in line with universally accepted electoral principles and practices.

Goals

The goals of the Commission are:

• To establish an effective voting mechanism;
• To ensure that voters are motivated to vote, informed about how to vote and are officially registered to vote;
• To facilitate the creation of a political climate in which political parties can freely communicate their messages to the electorate without interference or intimidation for the latter to make informed choice of their political leadership; and
• To conduct civic and voter education.

Values of the Commission

The Commission has set the following as its key values:

• Independence;
• Impartiality;
• Professionalism;
• Integrity and fairness;
• Transparency;
• Accountability; and
• Productivity

 

 

 

 

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