Africa-Press – Botswana. Tutume district councillors have been implored to partake in the demarcation process by sharing ideas and challenges they experienced when servicing their wards.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Secretary, Mr Jefferson Siamisang said when addressing a special full council meeting in Tutume on Tuesday.
Mr Siamisang said following the handing over of the Delimitation report to the President, the IEC had to set up Demarcation Committees across constituencies to re-align polling districts and stations, as well as renaming new constituencies.
He said the IEC would facilitate the formation of Demarcation Committees to be headed by District Commissioners and the membership of such committees would encompass all concerned stakeholders such as the youth, disabled people and party representative among others.
Those nominated in the committee, he said would be expected to do their work professionally and in a transparent manner by taking all proposals and views aired at the consultation meetings.
Furthermore, the IEC secretary said even though councilors would be affected directly by the process, he advised them not to influence the outcome of the consultative meetings but rather prioritise the voters’ interests.
He further pointed out that constituencies had been increased from 57 to 61 and that would affect the quota expected in each ward, noting that previously the quota range between 5 000-6 000 people per ward. Mr Siamisang said they were still awaiting communication from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development regarding the new quota.
In addition, Mr Siamisang highlighted that currently there were 490 council wards across the country and the new quota would determine an increase or a decline in the number of wards.
He further stated that the demarcation committees were going to start work at the beginning of the new financial year and completing the process in July this year.
He however appealed to councilors to support the committees by making contributions that would help improve delivery of services to the electorate. Commenting, councilors decried that most of the time people nominated into the demarcation committees who have interest in standing for political offices ended up influencing the outcome to favour them.
Specially elected councilor, Manyiwa Manyiwa said the realignment of some constituencies would result in voter apathy, noting that some villages in the Nkange constituency had been moved to Shashe West.
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