18 Aug 2014

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has done a lot to sensitise and enhance youth participation in the electoral process, an official has said

Chief information education officer, Ms Motlapele Raleru said although IEC had not reached its target in voter registration in the upcoming elections, the organisation tried its best to ensure that the vibrancy of democracy was seen through all level of citizen participation in the electoral process.

Ms Raleru said when responding to some comments from some party representatives during the launch of Yarona FM debate, which was more focused on effectiveness of policies and programmes in place from different parties including civil societies, Botswana National Youth Council (BNYC) on issues related to young people.

Some party representatives argued that IEC and BNYC had not done enough to teach young people about the importance of voting as some were still reluctant to participate in the electoral process. They also complained about voter apathy which they said was one of the most serious challenges faced by IEC.

She said her organisation had not failed noting that there was a lot of improvement in voter registration and stated that youth should not wait to be taught as they had the civic and democratic responsibility in elections.

She said there was no justification why in a participatory democracy, Batswana were still dragging their legs when it came to exercising this all important exercise.

“At the moment we are not interested in someone who is not registered as the exercise had been completed and now we are moving forward to perform voter information as we approach the election date”, she added.

Ms Raleru appealed to different parties to stop pointing fingers at each other noting that it was time that going forward to 2019, they could come together and strategize on how best all could enhance voter registration so that IEC meet its target.

One of the panelists, Mr Monametsi Sokwe from Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organizations (NCONGO) said young people are not voting because they feel sidelined as their issues are not well represented.

He said there is no structure in place which party representatives could held accountable if they failed to keep the promise hence youth are dragging their feet to participate in electoral process.

Mr Sokwe called for more intensive voter education to ensure that more youth are aware of active phases of the electoral process.Another panelist from BNYC, Mr Keotshepile Seloilwe said the council strives to empower and inspire youth to become leaders and actively participate in the development of Botswana, in a transparent, accountable and efficient manner.

He said a lot is being done to enhance youth participation in elections and urged parties to join hands adding that as much as it is the duty of the IEC to mount an intensive voter registration and education campaign, “it remains our moral obligation to meet the commission half way”.

He said everyone should understand that voting is a fundamental right that should never be left begging. Ends