Info

Botswana

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Boundary Delimitation

BD001

Delimitation of constituencies

Question:	Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	The Judicial Service Commission appoints a Delimitation Commission (DC) consisting of a chair and up to four other members. The DC is not subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority in the exercise of its functions. The DC reports to the President and constituencies are redemarked every 5-10 years.
Source:	Constitution: art. 64
Verified:	2009/08/24

BD003

Criteria for drawing boundaries

Question:	On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):	a. "Equality" of population c. Compactness of constituencies d. Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries e. Geographic size of district f. Communities of interest/cultural concerns g. Other
Comments:	Means of communication and density of population
Source:	Constitution: art. 65
Verified:	2009/08/24

BD005

Body responsible for drawing boundaries

Question:	The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):	c. Executive
Comments:	The Delimitation Commission submit a report to the President which shall state if any alteration is necessary to the boundaries of the constituencies.
Source:	Constitution: art. 65
Verified:	2009/08/24

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Electoral Systems

ES001

Head of State

Question:	How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):	a. Head of State is the Head of Government d. Indirectly elected by legislature
Comments:	The President is elected by every newly elected National Assembly to serve a five year term.
Source:	Constitution: art. 30, 32, 42.
Verified:	2009/08/24

ES002

Head of Government

Question:	How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:	c. Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments:	The Head of Government (President) is elected by every newly elected National Assembly to serve a five year term.
Source:	Constitution: art. 32.
Verified:	2009/08/24

ES003

President

Question:	Does the country have a president?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:
Source:	Constitution: art. 30.
Verified:	2009/08/24

ES004

Number of Chambers

Question:	The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:	b. Two chambers
Comments:	Parliament consists of the President and the National Assembly. The House of Chiefs must be consulted on certain legislation.
Source:	Constitution: art. 57, 85, 88:2.
Verified:	2009/08/24

ES005

Electoral System (Chamber 1)

Question:	What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):	a. Plurality (FPTP)
Comments:	The National Assembly has 61 elected seats; 57 members are directly elected by universal adult suffrage, and 4 members are indirectly elected by the National Assembly from a list of candidates submitted by the President. The President and the Attorney General are ex officio members of the Assembly and the life of the Assembly is five years. The Speaker may be elected from outside the House.
Source:	Constitution: art. 58, 91:3.
Verified:	2009/08/24

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Legislative Framework

LF001

Status of Electoral Law

Question:	What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):	a. Part of Constitution b. Separate legislation
Comments:	These are: Constitution of Botswana 1966; electoral act 1968
Source:
Verified:	2009/08/24

LF003

Electoral Law covers

Question:	The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):	a. National elections c. Local elections
Comments:	Referenda are governed by the Referendum Act of 1987 while rural local elections (District Councils) are governed by the Local Government (District Councils) Act (CHAPTER 40:01).
Source:
Verified:	2009/08/24

LF004

Compulsory/voluntary voting

Question:	Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):	a. Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source:	Electoral Act 1968: art. 7.
Verified:	2009/08/24

LF007

Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)

Question:	What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):	a. Judiciary
Comments:	Election petitions are heard by the High Court. Petitions must be submitted within 30 days of the announcement of the result disputed. If petitions are withdrawn the costs devolve on the petitioner.
Source:	Electoral Act 1968: art. 119.
Verified:	2009/08/24

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Electoral Management

EM001

Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:

Name of Institution: Independent Electoral Commission
Website Address: http://www.iec.gov.bw/

Source

No Source

Verified

2009/10/30

(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)

EM002

Responsibility of national EMB

Question:	Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):	a. National level c. Local level
Comments:	In the Amendment Act from 1997, it says that the Commission shall be responsible for the conduct and supervision of elections of the elected members of the National Assembly and members of the local authority, and conduct of referendums.
Source:	Constitution of Botswana 1966: art. 65A:12.
Verified:	2009/08/24

EM004

EMB budget determined by

Question:	The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):	c. The legislature
Comments:	The budget is determined by Parliament. The Electoral Commission is funded by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
Source:	Charles G. Mokobi, Former Deputy Secretary, Independent Electoral Commission of Botswana, tel. +267 361 2400, fax +267 300 581
Verified:	2002/05/30

EM005

EMB expenditures controlled by

Question:	The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):	g. Other
Comments:	The national electoral management body fully administers its budget subject to audit by the Auditor General. The Auditor General does not give directions but controls that the budget is transparent.
Source:
Verified:	2009/08/24

EM006

Term of EMB members

Question:	The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:	b. For a specified number of years
Comments:	The term of office of the Commission is the period of two successive terms of Parliament, namely 10 years. The Secretary shall vacate his/her post upon reaching 65 years of age, or such other age as may be prescribed by an Act of Parliament.
Source:	Constitution of Botswana 1966: art. 65A:12, 66:7.
Verified:	2009/08/24

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Voter Education

VE001

Information campaigns performed by

Question:	Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):	a. National Electoral Management Body
Comments:	Although the IEC is not tasked by law with voter education,the IEC has set civic and voter education as one of its four goals.
Source:	IEC UNDATED "IEC Commissioners"
Verified:	2009/08/24

VE002

Frequency of voter education programs

Question:	At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:	a. Continuously
Comments:
Source:	Charles G. Mokobi, Deputy Secretary, Independent Electoral Commission of Botswana, interview in Stockholm, 020701
Verified:	2001/07/09

VE003

National civic education

Question:	Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):	b. Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body
Comments:	Although the IEC is not tasked by law with voter education the IEC has set civic and voter education as one of its four goals.
Source:	IEC UNDATED "IEC Commissioners"
Verified:	2009/08/24

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Voter Registration

VR001

Voting age

Question:	What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:	c. 18
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of Botswana 1966: art. 67:1a.
Verified:	2009/08/24

VR002

Other voting requirements

Question:	Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):	a. Citizenship b. Period of Residence
Comments:
Source:	Constitution of Botswana 1966: Section 67:1c. Electoral Act 1968: art. 8A
Verified:	2009/08/24

VR004

Body responsible for voter registration

Question:	Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:	d. Election Management Body (specify)
Comments:	Independent Electoral Commission
Source:	Constitution of Botswana 1966: art. 65A:12.
Verified:	2009/08/24

VR008

Compulsory voter registration

Question:	Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:	Registration is voluntary and continuous.
Source:	Electoral Act 1968: art. 9:3.
Verified:	2009/08/24

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Voting Operations

VO003

Electors vote at

Question:	Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):	a. At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections
Comments:
Source:	Electoral Act 1968, 30, 30A
Verified:	2009/08/24

VO004

Voting outside the country is permitted for

Question:	Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):	c. Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation)
Comments:	All citizens qualified to exercise the franchise, who are registered to vote and abroad on election day are entitled to vote
Source:	Electoral Act 1968, 32
Verified:	2009/08/24

VO005

Locations for voting outside of the country

Question:	If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):	a. Embassies b. Consulates c. Special polling stations
Comments:	The requirement for a polling station to be established abroad is a minimum of 50 residents from Botswana living in that area.
Source:	Charles G. Mokobi, Former Deputy Secretary, Independent Electoral Commission of Botswana, tel. +267 361 2400, fax +267 300 581
Verified:	2002/05/30

VO011

Voting method

Question:	How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):	a. Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source:	Electoral Act 1968, 54(d)
Verified:	2007/09/28

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Parties and Candidates

PC001

Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)

Question:	What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	g. No information available
Comments:	The registration process in Botswana is both easy and quick. Application for registration must be made with the Registrar of Societies within 28 days of establishment or of the adoption of the constitution or of rules, regulations or by-laws. before processing an application the Registrar may require of the party additional information deemed necessary for the consideration of the application.
Source:	Societies Act 1987, 6(1)-(4)
Verified:	2007/09/28

PC003

Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)

Question:	What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):	a. Age b. Citizenship d. Residence f. Registration i. Minimum level of literacy
Comments:	a. The candidate must attain an age of 18 years i. The candidate must be able to speak and, unless incapacitated by blindness or other physical cause, to read English enough to take active part in the proceedings of the Assembly.
Source:	Constitution of Botswana 1966, Article 61
Verified:	2009/08/24

PC008

Independent candidates

Question:	Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):	e. In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments:	In principle an independent candidate can compete for presidency but normally the person who becomes President is the one whose party's parliamentary candidates have a majority of parliamentary seats. This is because the President is elected indirectly by parliament.
Source:	Molobe, Ennie, Parliament of Botswana, emolobe(a)gov.bw
Verified:	2002/05/30

PC012

Public funding of parties

Question:	Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):	a. No
Comments:	No public funding of political parties.
Source:
Verified:	2007/09/27

PC015

Basis of public funding

Question:	What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):	f. No information available
Comments:	No public funding of political parties.
Source:
Verified:	2007/09/28

PC017

Private funding of parties

Question:	Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	No law regulates political party funding or expenditure.
Source:
Verified:	2007/09/27

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Vote Counting

VC004

Voters are sorted/counted at

Question:	Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:	c. Special counting centres
Comments:	After the close of the poll, ballot boxes are sealed by the Presiding Officer, as well as by the candidates or their election agents, and sent to the returning officer.
Source:	Electoral Act 1968, 65(1)-(4)
Verified:	2009/08/24

VC011

Conditions for recount

Question:	Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):	e. Court order
Comments:	Election petitions are heard by the High Court. Petitions must be submitted within 30 days of the announcement of the result disputed. If petitions are withdrawn the costs devolve on the petitioner.
Source:	Electoral Act 1968, 75-77
Verified:	2009/08/24

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Media and Elections

ME037

Parties receive free broadcast time based on

Question:	What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):	h. No information available
Comments:	The law does not specify.
Source:
Verified:	2007/09/27

ME059

Existence of televised debates

Question:	Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):	a. Yes, in presidential elections b. Yes, in legislative elections
Comments:
Source:
Verified:	2007/09/11

ME062

Blackout period for opinion polls

Question:	What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:	g. No information available
Comments:	No legal restriction in place
Source:
Verified:	2007/09/28

ME080

Maximum amount for paid advertising

Question:	Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:	c. No information available
Comments:
Source:
Verified:	2009/08/24

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Direct Democracy

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	Section 89 (4) of the Constitution reads: "In so far as it alters any of the provisions mentioned in subsection (3) (b) of this section no Bill shall be presented to the President for his assent unless after its passage by the Assembly it has been submitted to the electors qualified to vote in the election of the Elected Members of the National Assembly, and, on a vote taken in such manner as Parliament may prescribe, the majority of the electors voting have approved the Bill." Section 3 of the Referendum Act reads: "Where under any law, any matter is required to be submitted to a vote of the electors qualified to vote in the election of the Elected Members of the National Assembly for approval by a majority of them, it shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of this Act."
Source:	The Constitution of Botswana, section 89 (4); The Referendum Act of the Laws of Botswana, Chapter 02:10 section 3 "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified:	2009/08/24

DD003

Mandatory referendums (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	a. Yes
Comments:	Section 89 (4) of the Constitution reads: "In so far as it alters any of the provisions mentioned in subsection (3) (b) of this section no Bill shall be presented to the President for his assent unless after its passage by the Assembly it has been submitted to the electors qualified to vote in the election of the Elected Members of the National Assembly, and, on a vote taken in such manner as Parliament may prescribe, the majority of the electors voting have approved the Bill.” Section 3 of the Referendum Act reads: “Where under any law, any matter is required to be submitted to a vote of the electors qualified to vote in the election of the Elected Members of the National Assembly for approval by a majority of them, it shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of this Act."
Source:	The Constitution of Botswana, section 89 (4); The Referendum Act of the Laws of Botswana, Chapter 02:10 section 3 Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified:	2009/08/24

DD004

Optional referendums (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified:	2009/08/24

DD005

Citizens' Initiatives (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified:	2009/08/24

DD006

Agenda Initiatives (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified:	2009/08/24

DD007

Recalls (national level)

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified:	2009/08/24

DD129

Binding referenda

Question:	Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:	a. Always binding
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified:	2009/08/24

DD130

National referenda deal with

Question:	Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:	a. Constitutional changes only
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified:	2009/08/24

DD131

Direct Democracy at sub-national level

Question:	Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:	b. No
Comments:
Source:	Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified:	2009/08/24