- A total of 1 038 275 have registered to vote, 112 800 more voters than in 2019
SESUPO RANTSIMAKO
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has registered a total of 1 038 275 voters who are eligible to cast their votes in the 2024 general elections.
According to the data released by the IEC, out of the 1 038 275 registered voters, 1 036 243 registered in Botswana at 2 808 polling stations countrywide while only 2 032 registered abroad.
However, the IEC says the total number of registered voters may change slightly when the final roll of the 2024 general elections is released after feedback from voters is incorporated.
Corrections
“This total number of registered people is not diametrically different from the number the Commission has been communicating to stakeholders,” says an IEC statement.
“There is a small difference though because some corrections were made as a result of feedback from voters during inspection of the voters roll.
“The final rolls to be used on the 30th October 2024 may have a difference of one or two voters resulting from continuous improvement of the rolls as the Commission receives appropriate feedback from voters.”
The total number registered voters for the 2024 general elections is an increase of 112 800 people on the 2019 general elections. According to 2019 IEC report, a total of 925 478 people registered to vote.
Spoilt votes
However, 772 158 did cast their votes in the general elections while 6 185 votes were spoilt.
Out of the 925 478 voters registered to cast votes in 2019, 406 561 voted for the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), giving it victory.
The opposition coalition, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), came second with a total of 277 071 voted. The minority parties Alliance for Progressive (AP) and Real Alternative Party (RAP) came last with 39 561 and 145 votes respectively.