* Gaborone five constituencies registered combined 81,744 eligible voters * Selibe Phikwe East has lowest voters with 8779 votes
All constituencies of Gaborone, the capital city, account for a total of 81,744 individuals from the 1,036,093 Batswana who have registered to vote in the upcoming October 30th elections.
Among the 61 constituencies, Goodhope-Mmathethe leads with the highest number of registered voters under the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), totalling 33,337.
Following closely are Moshupa-Manyana with 27,869, Gamalete with 27,254, Nkange with 26,808, and Palapye with 26,784. Selibe-Phikwe East has the lowest number of registered voters at 8,779.
Additionally, the voters roll indicates that 2,179 voters in the Diaspora have been registered across the three voter registration windows. However, this number may change due to transfers, as some have returned home while others who initially registered locally have gone abroad for further studies.
On Monday, during his address to the second session of the Full Council for the 2024-25 financial year - the final session of the 2019 term, Gaborone City Council (GCC) Mayor Austin Abraham confirmed that Gaborone had registered 81,744 valid voters across its five constituencies.
He added, “However, please note that this number may slightly change due to voter registration transfers completed following the dissolution of Parliament on September 5, 2024.”
Abraham reminded councillors that the general elections are scheduled for October 30, 2024, with the nomination of National Assembly and Local Government candidates set for October 4, 2024.
Nominations will take place in the various constituencies and across the city’s 34 polling districts, with Returning Officers and election officials on hand to assist candidates. He also noted that candidates must pay a nomination fee of P1,000 for National Assembly and P200 for Local Government.
He said preparations for this major event are ongoing and progressing well. Recruitment for polling staff has been completed, and training for officials, starting with Returning and Assistant Returning Officers, is set for September 17, 2024. Training for other groups, including candidates and their agents, will follow.
Additionally, the IEC office continues to issue duplicate voter cards to registered voters who have lost their originals. This service will be available until the day before the election, as no duplicate cards will be issued on election day.
The public is also informed that once ready, election rolls will be available for purchase at P1.75 per page at all IEC offices, and they can be viewed free of charge at the Offices of the District Commissioner and the Town Clerk.
Abraham expressed confidence that politicians are doing their best in their respective constituencies and wards to prepare for the elections. He urged voters to check the validity of their ID cards and to keep both their Omang and voter cards safe to ensure they can vote on election day.
On a different note, Abraham highlighted that Ward Development Committees (WDCs) are an integral part of local governance in the district, helping to fulfil their mandate at the community level.
He expressed satisfaction that all 38 WDCs are fully functional and making significant contributions in their respective areas. Notably, the Bontleng, Lesedi, and Babusi WDCs, in collaboration with the Gender Affairs Office, formed the Urban Sub-Gender Committee at the Urban Customary Court on August 29th and 30th, 2024, to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within their communities.
On a more concerning and embarrassing note, he acknowledged the rising cases of GBV nationwide, emphasising the need for a unified effort to combat this issue.
To promote community cohesion and strengthen governance, Men’s Pitso and Women’s Pitso gatherings were held to discuss GBV-related concerns.
Abraham stressed the importance of collective action in tackling GBV and other social issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy, and defilement, which are increasingly affecting homes across the country.
Among the 61 constituencies, Goodhope-Mmathethe leads with the highest number of registered voters under the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), totalling 33,337.
Following closely are Moshupa-Manyana with 27,869, Gamalete with 27,254, Nkange with 26,808, and Palapye with 26,784. Selibe-Phikwe East has the lowest number of registered voters at 8,779.
Additionally, the voters roll indicates that 2,179 voters in the Diaspora have been registered across the three voter registration windows. However, this number may change due to transfers, as some have returned home while others who initially registered locally have gone abroad for further studies.
On Monday, during his address to the second session of the Full Council for the 2024-25 financial year - the final session of the 2019 term, Gaborone City Council (GCC) Mayor Austin Abraham confirmed that Gaborone had registered 81,744 valid voters across its five constituencies.
He added, “However, please note that this number may slightly change due to voter registration transfers completed following the dissolution of Parliament on September 5, 2024.”
Abraham reminded councillors that the general elections are scheduled for October 30, 2024, with the nomination of National Assembly and Local Government candidates set for October 4, 2024.
Nominations will take place in the various constituencies and across the city’s 34 polling districts, with Returning Officers and election officials on hand to assist candidates. He also noted that candidates must pay a nomination fee of P1,000 for National Assembly and P200 for Local Government.
He said preparations for this major event are ongoing and progressing well. Recruitment for polling staff has been completed, and training for officials, starting with Returning and Assistant Returning Officers, is set for September 17, 2024. Training for other groups, including candidates and their agents, will follow.
Additionally, the IEC office continues to issue duplicate voter cards to registered voters who have lost their originals. This service will be available until the day before the election, as no duplicate cards will be issued on election day.
The public is also informed that once ready, election rolls will be available for purchase at P1.75 per page at all IEC offices, and they can be viewed free of charge at the Offices of the District Commissioner and the Town Clerk.
Abraham expressed confidence that politicians are doing their best in their respective constituencies and wards to prepare for the elections. He urged voters to check the validity of their ID cards and to keep both their Omang and voter cards safe to ensure they can vote on election day.
On a different note, Abraham highlighted that Ward Development Committees (WDCs) are an integral part of local governance in the district, helping to fulfil their mandate at the community level.
He expressed satisfaction that all 38 WDCs are fully functional and making significant contributions in their respective areas. Notably, the Bontleng, Lesedi, and Babusi WDCs, in collaboration with the Gender Affairs Office, formed the Urban Sub-Gender Committee at the Urban Customary Court on August 29th and 30th, 2024, to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within their communities.
On a more concerning and embarrassing note, he acknowledged the rising cases of GBV nationwide, emphasising the need for a unified effort to combat this issue.
To promote community cohesion and strengthen governance, Men’s Pitso and Women’s Pitso gatherings were held to discuss GBV-related concerns.
Abraham stressed the importance of collective action in tackling GBV and other social issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy, and defilement, which are increasingly affecting homes across the country.
