Voter registration process turns dramatic on first day

Court grants UDC right to deploy agents at registration stations as observers

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was clueless regarding being dragged to court by the Umbrella for Democratic Party (UDC) late Tuesday afternoon this week.

The UDC went to court seeking relief after the IEC refused to allow them (UDC) a chance to be observers at voter registration stations. Voter registration for the 2024 elections commences this Wednesday across the country.

“I know nothing about being taken to court, if they are taking us to court then I have not yet received the communique yet,” IEC Secretary Jefferson Siamisang said.

Asked if it is allowed for parties to have observes during voter registration, Siamisang explained that the practice is only done during voting and not during registration of voters.

“Chances are that it can turn chaotic,” Siamisang said briefly on Tuesday afternoon.

Meanwhile UDC successfully went to court on Tuesday and they have been granted permission by Francistown High Court Judge Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe to have observers at registration stations.

According to the judge, UDC can have agents observing the registration process and IEC and any other interested party, should show cause on the 7th November 2023 why the order should not be made final.

Ketlogetswe said pending the final determination of an application determining the extent of the applicant’s constitutional right to observe and monitor national elections, IEC and anyone acting on behalf of IEC is interdicted and restrained from preventing UDC agents from observing and monitoring the national elections registration process.

IEC, he said, should allow UDC to record names and national identity card numbers of the people registering to vote and record the serial numbers of the registration booklets for each and every registration made daily.