Botswana’s electoral commission has issued a stern warning to opposition parties regarding what it describes as “reckless” allegations of electoral fraud as the nation prepares for its general election on October 30. This announcement comes amidst claims from some opposition leaders that electoral manipulation is occurring.
Osupile Maroba, the chief public relations officer of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), rejected allegations that the names of deceased individuals have been added to the voter registration list, characterizing these claims as false, disrespectful, and absurd.
In response, Moeti Mohwasa, a spokesperson for the Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition, asserted that his party is aware of plans to rig the elections. He accused the IEC of collaborating with Zimbabwean authorities to facilitate this electoral fraud.
“The IEC is working with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to implement their primary strategy — which is cheating in the elections,” Mohwasa stated, further alleging that the Zimbabwe Central Intelligence Organization is cooperating with Botswana’s Directorate of Intelligence and Security to execute these plans.
Mohwasa also announced that the Umbrella for Democratic Change intends to petition the Zimbabwean Embassy in Gaborone next week to express their concerns regarding the electoral process.
Additionally, the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), which is not part of the opposition coalition, has voiced apprehensions about possible irregularities in the upcoming election. BCP spokesperson Mpho Pheko highlighted particular concerns regarding the counting of votes away from polling stations, stating, “The BCP has always maintained that elections in Botswana are free but not fair.” He noted that BCP President Dumelang Saleshando had previously proposed a motion in parliament to change the law to allow votes to be counted at the polling site, but this was rejected by the majority who favored transporting ballot boxes instead.
Kgalalelo Kentse of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party dismissed the opposition’s claims as desperate, recalling that similar accusations were made during the 2019 elections but were not substantiated in court.
Raphael Bindariye, program manager at the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy and a former electoral officer in United Nations missions across Africa, commented that concerns over election rigging in Africa often arise from how electoral bodies are managed. “The impartiality and independence of electoral management bodies in Africa are often in question,” Bindariye noted, stressing that these bodies are typically established and funded by ruling parties that control national resources.
In a significant electoral event, more than 2,000 Botswanans living abroad, along with local election officials and police, are scheduled to vote this Saturday. The remaining local voters, exceeding 1 million, will participate in the elections on October 30.
