In a democracy people play a role in the running of national and local affairs through elected representatives. Citizens enjoy this fundamental human right if they have knowledge and understand their rights and responsibilities. Democracy is about choices and options, and it thrives when the citizenry know what choices and options are available when they know that they are free to choose someone amongst themselves to represent them and that they will not be punished for doing so.

Registration process

Participation in the electoral process starts with eligible voters registering to vote in the elections of Members of the National Assembly and Local Authority; or in a referendum. Registration for elections in Botswana is voluntary. Prospective voters make the initiative to contact election officials at registration centres. Continuous registration takes place at the IEC district offices and at the offices of District Commissioner. District-based IEC officers also move around constituencies registering voters.

Registration requirements

Every citizen of Botswana who is eighteen years old and above is expected to participate in the electoral process. For them to exercise this fundamental right they ought to have a valid identity (Omang) card. They register at the area in which they live or reside. In the event of movement or change of residence after registration voters are allowed to make arrangements with election officials to transfer their vote to the new residence.

How to register

Registration is done on a voter's registration form and the voter is issued with a registration card. An election official fills in particulars of the voter's name; identity card (Omang) number; gender; physical address; polling district and polling station.

The registration card is valid for the life of parliament after which there is general registration of voters. This is done to update the Voters Roll. Currently, computerisation of the electoral system allows for the update of the roll on the basis of information received from the National Registration Department.

What happens after registration?

After registration just before an election takes place, the IEC prepares a voters roll for all constituencies. The voters roll contains particulars of individual voters as they appear on their registration cards. The voters rolls are then publicised for inspection by the public. Registered voters can confirm the authenticity of the information appearing in the roll and cause amendment of same.

Lost registration card

In the event that a voter looses her/his card the loss should be reported to election officials in their constituency and shall be issued with a duplicate card. Duplicate cards may be issued up to a day before holding of a poll. No duplicates shall be issued on polling day.

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