19 Nov 2014

Batswana have been advised to keep holding on to their 
voter registration cards.



Speaking in an interview, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), principal public
 relations officer (PRO), Mr Osupile Maroba said voter’s card was one of critical
 documents that Batswana had concerning government for the next five years.


“It is advisable for Batswana not to discard their voter’s registration cards
 until 2019 because five years is a long time and maybe during th 
period there may be need for bye-elections,” he explained. 





Another instance could be when there is amendment of the Constitution, which might need 
the input of voters or any parliamentary decision, which needs voters’ consent.
 Only those in the voters roll are given the opportunity to vote. 





“In the past we have had bye-elections where the turnout of voters was not 
matching that of the general elections. We cannot say that Batswana do not take
 bye-elections with the same seriousness, but we sometimes go around districts 
where there is need for bye-elections and teach Batswana,” Mr Maroba pleaded
 with Batswana.





He noted that in instances where a voted councillor or Member of Parliament
(MP) dies or resigns from the position, every Motswana who has registered to 
vote will have to go back to their polling districts and vote again.




Mr Maroba said it is every Motswana’ s right who has registered to vote, to go
to any IEC offices in their polling district to replace their misplaced cards. 

 “ust like the general elections, you go there with your Omang card and request
for your duplicate registration card,” Mr Maroba said.  ENDS