No voting system is 100% foolproof

In recent months, we have been told by the Umbrella for Democratic Change [ UDC] that the ruling Botswana Democratic Party [ BDP] will surely rig the coming 2024 general election and that the UDC still believes that the 2019 elections were rigged. But no voting system is 100 percent foolproof. However, we can put measures in place that could better ensure free and fair elections next year and reduce accusations of a rigged election. And these measures should not cost too much to implement.

Several months before an election, voters are registered at each polling station and a voters roll is drawn up – this gives details of each voter; for example, full name, address, ID number, etc. Once this is done, representatives from each political party that is contesting in the constituency should then check the voters roll at each polling station for any irregularities, missing information, and the total number of voters who have registered [ each party rep should show his or her party membership card for identification]. Each party rep could then, perhaps, take a shot of each page using a smart phone. They can then sign a form to confirm that the voters’ roll is in order and that they agree on the number of registered voters. Space should also be given on the form for the official stamp of each party [ showing the party and constituency].

One possible cause of election rigging is the registration of voters at more than one polling station.

Now let us move onto polling day. At each polling station, party reps could meet up with Independent Electoral Commission [ IEC] officials an hour or two before the polling station opens. This time could be used to compare the voters’ roll drawn up at the time of registration and the voters’ roll on polling day. If all is in order, they can then sign to say that the voters’ roll has not been altered or tampered with.

The party reps can then count the number of ballot papers to check that they correspond exactly with the number of registered voters. So, if 500 voters appear on the roll, then there must be exactly 500 ballot papers, nothing more, nothing less. But if there are more than 500 ballot papers, then it is possible that an IEC official could give some voters, known to support a certain political party, more than one ballot paper. This would be clearly a case of vote rigging! Party reps could also visually check that each voter is given just one ballot paper.

Once voting is over, the party reps can then sign to show that they agree on the following: voting took place freely without intimidation, there was no canvassing by political parties or wearing of party colours by voters, the polling station opened and closed at the stipulated times, each voter was only handed one ballot paper, the number of people who cast their votes [ should be recorded] and the number of ballot boxes [ should be recorded] and that these were sealed appropriately after voting.

The ballot boxes can then be taken to a central place in the constituency where votes from all the constituency’s polling stations will be counted. Many politicians, however, believe that votes should be counted at each polling station. But in the UK, a bastion of democracy, votes are always counted at one place in each constituency. And there are many advantages of counting votes in this way. In rural areas, many polling stations are simply large tents which may not be very spacious. The light in these tents may also not be very bright and this could easily lead to mistakes being made during the counting process. And the problem would be made worse when voting continues after dark, especially if the election is held in winter; how can votes now be effectively counted under a paraffin lamp or a torch?

Counting votes can take place in a central place, such as a school dining room or hall, places which will be much more spacious and have electricity. Since the party reps from all the polling stations in the constituency can be present there, any problems that may arise during counting can be more easily resolved.

Once party reps arrive at the counting venue, they should sign to say that the number of ballot boxes is the same as the number at the polling station and that during the journey the boxes were not tampered with [ for example, the boxes were not opened].

Before counting begins, the total number of ballot boxes from all the polling stations should be counted in the presence of the party reps who will then sign agreeing to the total number of ballot boxes that have arrived at the venue. The total numbers of people who voted at each polling station should then be added up and agreed upon before counting begins.

All party reps will now be able to clearly observe the counting process. Charts can be attached to the wall to show the number of votes cast for each party. The IEC officials will show each ballot paper. For example, if a ballot paper shows an X by the UDC candidate, then the official will call out UDC and this vote will be shown on the appropriate chart that shows votes cast for the UDC. And the numbers of spoilt papers should also be counted and shown on a separate chart.

After counting, IEC officials can now count the total number of votes cast by adding up the votes cast for each party and the spoilt papers.

The total should agree with the total number of people who voted in the constituency, as agreed upon previously. Once again, if this is so, then party reps should agree to this and also the following: all the ballot papers from all the ballot boxes were counted, counting proceeded in an orderly manner and there was no intimidation of IEC officials by party reps. Once again party reps should sign agreeing to this.

The number of votes cast for each candidate will then be publicly announced. Party reps should now sign agreeing to the results that are declared.

This might all seem to be a cumbersome and time- consuming process. But it will be time well spent! And it will better ensure that voting was free and fair and hence reduce the possibility of vote rigging. For these reasons, Opposition politicians will have less reason to cry foul even if the ruling BDP wins another term in office in 2024!