Africa-Press – Botswana. As the voter registration process, which kicked off on January 5, gains momentum, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) continues to appeal to more people to register.
Through public address announcements and regular updates in Radio statios and newspapers, IEC aim to lure people to register so that majority of eligible voters would have registered by the time the exercise concludes on February 3.
BOPA interviews in Serowe and Mahalapye have revealed that some citizens were enthusiastic about the opportunity to register and make their voices heard, others remained skeptical due to unfulfilled promises from past elections.
In Serowe, Patricia Speakson reports that Mr Keoagile Seane convinced nine members of his family to register after he himself registered on a Monday. He empha-sised the importance of voting, underlining that it provided a voice and an opportunity to influence the future.
However, he also challenged elected candidates to fulfill the electorate’s wishes, or at least make significant efforts, to bring about positive change in their communities. Mr Seane stressed the need for empowering the electorate to pass a vote of no confidence on a member of parliament or council if they are no longer satisfied
Mr Robert Modise, 39, of Botalaote Ward expressed his intention to register after completing his errands, highlighting the power of the electorate in the electoral process to qualify and disqualify candidates based on their representation of interests.
He said that every vote mattered and encouraged all eligible individuals, especially young people, to register and participate in the democratic process. “I believe that my vote matters because that one vote can sometimes break a tie and give the preferred candidate a win,” said Mr Modise.
In contrast, Ms Katlo Galeage, a 29-year-old from Sekao Ward, has not yet registered to vote. Expressing demotivation, she cited unfulfilled promises by leaders elected in previous elections, particularly in areas of employment and fairness in business opportunities.
She highlighted the frustration felt by many young people due to unmet expectations in the past, leading them to abstain from voting. Acknowledging the importance of voting, however, she emphasized the power it gave individuals to choose political leaders for the next five years.
Many young people like her she said were frustrated hence stayed away from voting, something she said was not the solution.
“We only matter now, after elections we are left in the cold by the very same people who were pursuing us and it appears like we bother when we seek answers.
She however, acknowledged the importance of participating in the democratic system of voting as it gave one the power to determine political leaders for the next five years.
For 41 year-old Ms Phatsimo Lesang of Masakaneng, she said registeed to vote in the previous years but this year, was not sure if she would register.
Her frustration, she said emanated from not having been allocated land although she had been on the waiting list for many years.
Ms Joyce Nkalolang, 34, of Mosweu village in Tswapong said she would travel to her home village to register.
She said she was aware of the importance of the exercise and was not about to miss out and later blame others for the leaders they voted into power.
She pointed out that it was important for people to vote at their home villages so that developments could reach them.
Ms Nkalolang said that she was hopeful their interests would be considered by those they would voted into power.
Ms Bernadette Nnang, 63 of Maaloswane Ward said together with her granddaughter, they would be heading to Mmualefhe polling station on Saturday, to register to vote.
She said she was feeling demotivated to register but her granddaughter who would be a first time voter reminded her that she was a Christian and as thus should honour the law as the Bible said.
These varied sentiments toward voter registration were also echoed in Mahalapye. Onkarabile Moeng reports that Mr Gabosianelwe Motebele, 50, of Botalaote Ward, expressed the importance of voters in democracy to decide parliamentary and council representatives and the leading party.
He emphasised that voting did not only benefitted individuals but the entire country.
He opined that voters were important in democracy since they were the ones to decide who made it to Parliament and council, as well the party that would lead them.
Mr Motebele said his vote not only benefited him, but the country as well.
He suggested that youth be sensitised on the importance of voting since many seemed not to understand its significance.
Mr Michael Scotch aged 54 said he registered at Xhosa 2 Ward, an exercise he deemed important in determining the political leaders who would served Batswana.
It also makes him a responsible citizen he said.
Still in Mahalapye, 53 year-old Ms Lebole Lentshaletse of Xhosa 1 said she had not yet had a chance to register but would make time to do so.
She said choosing not to register to vote would mean Botswana would be without political leaders.
Ms Lentshaletse said unemployment was the reason youth were not interested in registering to vote.
Meanwhile, Ms Ipeleng Keobiditse, 50, of Makwate village, and Mr Sikina Motsomane, 64, of Mahalapye West, declared their successful registration, underscoring the importance of voting for political leaders responsible for addressing challenges and advocating for development. Ms Ipeleng Keobiditse 50,
While, Ms Keobiditse reckoned that voting for political leaders was important since they were responsible for coming up with solutions to challenges and advocating for developments while Mr Motsomane said registering to vote allowed the electorate to vote for those they trusted.
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