Your vote matters, go register!!

As yet another general election lurks in the horizon, the significance of active voter participation cannot be over-emphasised. The October national poll presents yet another opportunity for every eligible citizen to speak with their vote in choosing a political leadership that they believe stands to advance their aspirations and hopes. As much as the decision to vote or not to vote is a personal choice, whatever choice one makes can have a telling effect going forward. Voting gives one a moral right to have a say in matters of governance, whether it you party that has won or not. On the contrary, if you decide NOT to vote, you will have ceded your right to speak to others who might make a choice for you by electing a government that is not aligned to your aspirations.

The latest statistics on voter registration released by the Independent Electoral Commision (IEC) show that just a little over 320,000 people have so registered since January 5th when registration started. With the IEC having set itself a target of achieving 1.7 million registered voters by end of national registration on February 3rd, this number by far falls short and does not give hope that the target will be achieved. This should remind every citizen who considers themselves responsible and have not registered to step up and do the needful. It a national call to action everywhere we go be it at churches, civil society gatherings, freedom squares etc. Every available opportunity to be used to galvanise eligible Batswana to take personal responsibility towards ensuring that our elections are a success. Voting in large numbers is the only credible way towards achieving an inclusive electoral process. Achieving this goal hinges on the active engagement of the entire community. While there is credence in demanding that political parties should first give voters a choice by announcing their election candidates in order for them to make an informed decision about where to go and register to vote and who to vote for, the benefit of registering is not only limited to voting for a political party candidate, but voting in referendums too, especially the topical and much awaited constitutional review. Surely, the delay to hold party primary elections cannot be enough reason for one’s hesitation to register. The democratic fabric of Botswana relies on the active participation of its citizens. By registering to vote, individuals empower themselves to shape the nation’s future. The diversity of political opinions and choices is what enriches a democracy, making it imperative for citizens to exercise their right to choose leaders who align with their values and aspirations. it is, therefore, imperative that the upcoming election should be viewed as an opportunity to influence the direction of the country by having a say in policies that directly impact the lives of citizens.

To those who express disillusionment by arguing that voting is pointless as it holds no promise that things will change for the better, we would like to remind them that change is often a gradual process, and the cumulative impact of individual votes contributes to shaping the trajectory of the nation. By participating in the democratic process, citizens become active stakeholders in the governance of their country, creating a collective voice that cannot be ignored. Civil society, political parties, authorities, and religious institutions play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of active and responsible citizenship. These institutions serve as channels of communicating to the masses the importance of voter registration. By the time, the country should be abuzz with civic education programs, town hall meetings, and community outreach initiatives aimed at galvanising the citizenry and creating a hypre around the issue of elections, as well demystify the electoral process, dispelling myths, and providing clarity on the significance of each registered voter.