Introduction

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is mandated to manage Botswana's electoral system through conducting and delivering free and fair elections. It is also mandated to arrange for and conduct national Referenda as and when so directed by Parliament.

What is a Referendum?

A referendum is a process of referring certain constitutional questions to the electorate for a direct decision by public vote. Some sections of the Constitution which are often described as "entrenched" require the consent of the voting age population before any alteration can be effected on them.

Referenda are not new to Batswana. In 1987 Batswana voted to create the office of the Supervisor of elections. In 1997 the nation was asked in a referendum to say whether or not they agreed with the proposed constitutional changes which included reducing the voting age from 21 to 18 years; and the creation of the Independent Electoral Commission. On November 3, 2001, the nation went to the polls to decide whether they agreed or not, with the proposed constitutional reforms that sought to restructure the Judicial Service Commission, and to change the conditions of service for judges of the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Why do the public have to decide on such constitutional changes?

Democracy or government by the people, is one of the most treasured developments in human history. Voting is about making a government through public consensus expressed by the vote. The concept of power deriving from the people, and the people sanctioning who should have power, and for how long, is the processing agent of democracy. This decentralisation affords people a role in decision making, and keeps those with power, dependent on those they rule. So Batswana should vote as a way of participating in the governance of their country.

Good governance by a political leadership that is popularly elected by majority vote is a recipe for enduring peace, social stability and economic development. Where democratic values of consultation, transparency, accountability and fairplay are the guiding principles for those in positions of power, civil strifes become uncommon experiences because people feel they own developments that affect them as individuals and as a nation.