Africa-Press – Botswana. Gaborone City councillors have been advised to study the 2022 Population and Housing Census report to appreciate the population dynamics that occurred since the last demarcation exercise.
Addressing a special full council meeting in Gaborone on Wednesday, Secretary of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Mr Jefferson Siamisang informed councillors that delimitation and establishment of polling districts and stations was about to start.
Mr Siamisang said it was therefore important for councilors to acquaint themselves with the report so that they could contribute meaningful to the Delimitation exercise when it kicked off.
He also implored Councillors to familiarise themselves with boundaries of polling districts as well as the location of the existing polling stations.
They were further advised to engage their voters to equally familiarise themselves with the boundaries of their polling stations so that they could also make some contributions.
Mr Siamisang explained that to fast track the process, the IEC Secretary would delegate the responsibility to the demarcation committees to be set up in each constituency across the country.
He highlighted that the demarcation committees would be made up of different professionals, adding that they would be chaired by District Commissioners to facilitate and coordinate the process.
Mr Siamisang explained that the committees’ assignment included paying particular attention to population density, population quota, communication, geographic features and existing patterns of human settlements, constituency boundaries and community interest.
He highlighted that demarcation of polling districts and establishment of polling stations were sensitive assignments, adding that if not done properly, they might lead to unnecessary disgruntlement and political unrest.
“I expect the committees to adhere to impartiality, professionalism, transparency, team work, inclusivity, credibility and Botho,” he said.
Once concluded, the demarcation exercise would pave way for the national voters’ registration exercise, which he said would be done towards the end of 2023.Commenting, Councillor Khukhi Moremi of Morula ward said the IEC should have long started the delimitation exercise processes.
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