Slomoes’ election system wanted in Botswana
MBABANE – Due to Botswana’s highly anticipated 2024 elections, Slomoes Corporation has been invited to assist with the design of a technological system to guarantee free and fair elections.
Lucky Bandzi Dlamini, the Managing Director of Slomoes Corporation, has shown interest in helping the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in whatever capacity.
He had been to Botswana about three weeks ago on invitation by some technology firms to discuss probabilities of a partnership or joint venture to possibly manage next year’s general election.
It is understood that the IEC does not want to leave to chance as tension about the election was already mounting, hence accuracy in vote counting and potential fraud detection should be of the highest standards.
In Botswana, they do not need data management systems in elections that could leave troves of sensitive information vulnerable to bad actors such as cyberbullying.
It is said that the experience and expertise of companies that design systems, not just rely on purchases or renting, they are required to protect electoral data in a holistic approach.
Like in Eswatini, which shall have the first election post-civil unrest and threats to sabotage it, Botswana reportedly needs to upgrade election standards relating to data security while, at the same time, observing international and regional good practice guidelines.
CYBERBULLYING
It is said that the two countries, due to their prevailing political environments, need systems to detect cyberbullying.
It was felt that getting a trusted company in the SADC region to assist the Botswana service providers could add credibility in the election process.
Due to sensitivities, they do not want the election management system to be in the hands of expatriates. It is not yet clear if former Botswana President Ian Khama who quit the ruling party in 2019 would stand contest through his party, Botswana Patriotic Front.
However, his new party has been registered and its colour and symbol approved.
He quit his old party amid a policy feud with his hand-picked successor deepened, threatening to split the organisation that had ruled the country since independence in 1966.
Khama handed power to his then-Deputy Mokgweetsi Masisi in 2018 after serving as president of the diamond-rich Southern African nation for a decade.
He was an influential figure in the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), the ruling party.
It must be said that Masisi is only the third person from outside the Khama political dynasty to lead Botswana since independence from Britain.
The current president has clashed repeatedly with his former ally since he took over.
Khama is understood to be in exile. On December 30, 2022, it was reported that a court in Botswana issued an arrest warrant for former President Ian Khama for the possession of illegal firearms.
The judge issued orders that the former president should be arrested on sight.
The Independent Electoral Commission in Botswana was established in 1997 after a referendum, to improve transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
Prior to the establishment of the IEC, from 1965-1966, elections were conducted from the Office of the President under the direction of the permanent secretary to the president.
CONSTITUTION
The Commission comprises seven members as per Section 65A of the Constitution of Botswana.
The chairperson is the judge of the High Court, while the deputy chairperson is a legal practitioner and both are directly appointed by the Judicial Service Commission. The other five members are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission from a list of persons recommended by the All Party Conference.
The commission is responsible for:
The conduct and supervision
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of elections of members of the National Assembly and of a Local Authority;
The conduct of referenda;
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Ensuring that elections are con
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ducted efficiently, properly, freely and fairly;
Giving instructions and directions
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to the Secretary of the Commission with regard to his/her responsibilities;
Performing such other functions
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as may be prescribed by an Act of Parliament.
Dlamini, the Director of Slomoes Corporation, said it was unethical for him to talk about issues that have not been concluded.
One of the directors of the Botswana Technological Services said they were not mandated in law to talk about the issue at this stage, but they did invite Slomoes Corporation to educate them on designed and customised software for data security in election.