IEC registers only 949 voters during supplementary registration

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) conducted supplementary voters’ registration exercises at all the 61 constituencies from 12th January to 13th February, 2026, and from 18th February to the 3rd March, 2026.According to the Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Moeti Mohwasa, this was an opportunity for Batswana who, for any particular reasons, were not registered to vote at the close of the voters’ registration period in May 2024, to register.“A total of 949 voters registered during this period, with 755 registering from the 12th January to the 13th February,2026, while 194 registered from the 18th February to the 3rd March, 2026.I urge Batswana to always take advantage of these openings to register as voters because it is both their constitutional right and a civic responsibility.”When presenting the IEC budget for the 2026/27 financial year, Mohwasa said zeroing in on some of the challenges the EMB encountered during the reporting period, the shortage of office and staff residential accommodation remained unresolved.However, the IEC’s purpose-built head office will be constructed during the 2026/2027 financial year, Mohwasa said, adding that this will come as a package with some residential houses for the staff. Although this will be a drop in the ocean, it would assist greatly.“I wish to also reiterate that the need for reforms regarding the laws governing the conduct and management of elections in Botswana remains a priority to the Government.Once the Constitution of the Republic of Botswana has been reviewed comprehensively, subsidiary legislations such as the Electoral Act would be reviewed as well, to create the necessary alignment and address issues of transparency in electoral processes”, stated the minister.Mohwasa indicated that the IEC’s 2026/2027 financial year budget proposals are aligned with the Twelfth National Development Plan (NDP 12) and Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP).This, he said, comes at an opportune time when the Commission is finalising its Five-Year Strategic Plan, focusing on planning for the next five (5) years of the Electoral Cycle, following successful delivery of the General Elections in 2024.According to the minister, inevitably, the IEC has to align its strategic commitments with the approved NDP 12 and BETP, and undertake reforms to enhance citizen participation in the electoral process, as well as deliver on its overall constitutional mandate.Mohwasa told Parliament that this is important because, as an Election Management Body, the IEC operates within ever-changing ecological realities characterised by shifting stakeholders’ expectations, and requiring continuous improvement.“Consequent to successful delivery of the General Elections in 2024, the IEC complied with Section 65A (13) of the Constitution of the Republic of Botswana, which requires the Commission to submit a report to the Minister on the conduct of such elections.”“I laid the report before this National Assembly on the 20th November, 2025. The same report has been widely distributed to various key stakeholders such as political parties, the media, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Civic Society Organisations, Mohwasa said.

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IEC registers only 949 voters during supplementary registration