Minister of State President, Defence and Security, Honourable Minster Moeti Caesar Mohwasa
Cynthia Thanda
The Government of Botswana has urged political parties to maintain consensus on the country’s ongoing electoral reform process, warning that presenting individual reforms separately could undermine the agreement reached during the All-Party Conference.
Minsiter of State President, Defence and Security, Honourable Minister Moeti Caesar Mohwasa issued a statement during a parliamentary session on 18th August 2026, as he outlined Government’s progress on the electoral reform. He explained that the Government’s commitment to electoral reform was informed by its previous experience in the opposition and its believes that for Botswana’s democracy must continue to evolve to better reflect the will of the people.
“Let me affirm from the outset that this Government remains deliberate, resolute and sincere in its pursuit of electoral reform. We initiated and convened this process because we recognise that the integrity of our electoral system is fundamental to the strength of our democracy, the confidence of our citizens and the stability of our nation,” said Minister Mohwasa.
Every step taken to date, from inviting political parties and receiving their proposals to convening the All-Party Conference and establishing a technical process, reflects Government’s determination to achieve reforms that are credible and inclusive.
According to the Honourable Minister, Government invited all registered political parties to participate in an All-Party Conference on Electoral Reform on 16th July 2026. On 23rd July 2026, the parties were reminded of the Conference and requested to submit their proposals for consideration. This sequencing was intended to give every party a fair and meaningful opportunity to contribute to the process.
The All-Party Conference was held at Ave Maria on 3rd August 2026, with all registered political represented by members of their executive leadership. Honourable Minister Mohwasa said all parties present agreed, without objection, that the prioritised reforms would be presented to the National Assembly as a single, unified package, while more far-reaching reforms would continue to receive consideration.
More than ten proposed reforms were discussed at the Conference. They included:
(𝙖) That voters be permitted to register only once in their lifetime;
(𝙗) Clearer statutory guidance on the definition of “principal residence” for purposes of voter registration and voting, in order to address the problem of voter trafficking;
(𝙘) That Omang remain the principal form of identification for voting and registration, with a driver’s licence or passport used where it is not available;
(𝙙) That political parties be provided with access to the verified electronic Voters’ Roll;
(𝙚) That the same processes of observation and monitoring applied during elections be extended to the voter registration process, together with a code of conduct for polling and counting agents. This should include the number of agents permitted at polling stations;
(𝙛) Special voting arrangements for persons living with disabilities through a Special Vote Day;
(𝙜) The introduction of electronic voting and electronic counting of ballots;
(𝙝) The counting of ballots at polling stations;
(𝙄) The introduction of transparent ballot boxes;
(𝙟) The legalisation of exit polling; and
(𝙠) The relaxation of the stringent requirements governing the amendment of election petitions.
The parties also agreed to establish a technical team to examine the proposed reforms in detail and advise on their implementation. He said this reflected a shared understanding that reforms of such magnitude require rigorous technical scrutiny before being brought before Parliament, ensuring that the resulting legislation is coherent, implementable and sufficiently robust to endure.
However, Government has expressed concern over the decision by one of the parties that participated in the Conference to independently bring some of the proposed reforms before the National Assembly. While acknowledging that the move demonstrated the importance attached to electoral system, Minister Mohwasa said Government believed that presenting individual reforms before the technical team had completed its work could fragment the package agreed upon by the parties.
“Government nevertheless respectfully differs with this approach. Our concern is that presenting individual reforms separately, before the technical team has completed its work, could unintentionally fragment the agreed package and weaken the consensus achieved at the All-Party Conference. Electoral reform is best advanced as a coherent national undertaking, informed by technical scrutiny and supported as broadly as possible by all political parties,” said Honourable Minister.
According to Honourable Minister Mohwasa, the disagreement was not about whether electoral reform is necessary, but about the sequencing and manner in which the reforms should be presented. He urged all political parties to continue engaging in a spirit of mutual respect, statesmanship and good faith.
“We call upon all participants to uphold the commitments made at the All-Party Conference and support the technical team in completing its work, so that the prioritised reforms may be brought before this Honourable House as one comprehensive and broadly supported package,” stated Honourable Minister.
Honourable Minister further described the electoral system as an institution and shared democratic inheritance that belongs to all Batswana and called on political parties to place the long-term interests of the country above their immediate political diferrences.
𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗟𝗬
𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆
𝟭. 𝗠𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿, I rise to make a statement to this Honourable House on the electoral reform process currently underway in our country.
𝟮. Let me affirm from the outset that this Government remains deliberate, resolute and sincere in its pursuit of electoral reform. We initiated and convened this process because we recognise that the integrity of our electoral system is fundamental to the strength of our democracy, the confidence of our citizens and the stability of our nation.
𝟯. This commitment to electoral reform is informed by our experience in the opposition before we ascended to power in 2024 and our commitment to Democratic Ideals. We believe that for our democracy to grow, we need to keep on building the necessary reforms that will deliver a proper reflection of the views of our people in the outcome of any election. The conditions prior, during and after an election should be such that they encourage and reflect the will of the people.
𝟰. Every step taken to date, from inviting political parties and receiving their proposals to convening the All-Party Conference and establishing a technical process, reflects Government1s determination to achieve reforms that are credible and inclusive.
𝟱. 𝗠𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿, on 16th July 2026, Government invited all registered political parties in Botswana, without exception, to participate in the All-Party Conference on Electoral Reform. On
23rd July 2026, the parties were reminded of the Conference and requested to submit their proposals for consideration. This sequencing was intended to give every party a fair and meaningful opportunity to contribute to the process.
𝟲. On 3rd August 2026, all registered political parties in Botswana convened at Ave Maria for the All-Party Conference, a forum convened expressly to build consensus on proposed amendments to the Electoral Act. All parties were represented by members of their executive leadership, underscoring the seriousness with which the political community approached the process.
𝟳. Importantly, 𝗠𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿, all parties present agreed, without objection, that the prioritised reforms would be presented to this Honourable House as a single, unified package.
𝟴. More than ten proposed reforms were tabled for consideration at the Conference. The parties agreed that priority should be given to reforms that do not require constitutional amendment, thereby enabling their swifter implementation while more far-reaching reforms continue to receive appropriate consideration.
These included the following:
(𝙖) That voters be permitted to register only once in their lifetime;
(𝙗) Clearer statutory guidance on the definition of “principal residence” for purposes of voter registration and voting, in order to address the problem of voter trafficking;
(𝙘) That Omang remain the principal form of identification for voting and registration, with a driver’s licence or passport used where it is not available;
(𝙙) That political parties be provided with access to the verified electronic Voters’ Roll;
(𝙚) That the same processes of observation and monitoring applied during elections be extended to the voter registration process, together with a code of conduct for polling and counting agents. This should include the number of agents permitted at polling stations;
(𝙛) Special voting arrangements for persons living with disabilities through a Special Vote Day;
(𝙜) The introduction of electronic voting and electronic counting of ballots;
(𝙝) The counting of ballots at polling stations;
(𝙄) The introduction of transparent ballot boxes;
(𝙟) The legalisation of exit polling; and
(𝙠) The relaxation of the stringent requirements governing
the amendment of election petitions.
𝟵. The parties also agreed that a technical team should examine the proposed reforms in detail and advise on their implementation. This reflected a shared understanding that reforms of such magnitude require rigorous technical scrutiny
before being brought before this House, ensuring that the resulting legislation is coherent, implementable and sufficiently robust to endure.
𝟭𝟬. 𝗠𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿, Government has noted that one of the parties that participated in the Conference has since brought selected elements of the proposed reforms before this House independently. We recognise that this may reflect the importance attached to electoral reform and the desire shared across the political spectrum to achieve progress.
𝟭𝟭. Government nevertheless respectfully differs with this approach. Our concern is that presenting individual reforms separately, before the technical team has completed its work, could unintentionally fragment the agreed package and weaken the consensus achieved at the All-Party Conference. Electoral reform is best advanced as a coherent national undertaking, informed by technical scrutiny and supported as broadly as possible by all political parties.
𝟭𝟮. 𝗠𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿, this is not a disagreement about whether electoral reform is necessary. On that fundamental question, there is considerable common ground. The difference relates principally to how the reforms should be sequenced and presented. Government therefore believes that this moment should not divide us, but should instead provide an opportunity to reaffirm our collective commitment to the process and to the agreements already reached.
𝟭𝟯. Government accordingly appeals to all political parties to continue engaging in a spirit of mutual respect, statesmanship and good faith. We call upon all participants to uphold the commitments made at the All-Party Conference and support the
technical team in completing its work, so that the prioritised reforms may be brought before this Honourable House as one comprehensive and broadly supported package.
𝟭𝟰. 𝗠𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿, our electoral system belongs to all Batswana. It is a national institution and a shared democratic inheritance. We therefore carry a collective responsibility to strengthen it carefully, inclusively and in a manner that places the long-term interests of Botswana above our immediate political differences.
𝟭𝟱. Working together, we can deliver reforms that deepen our democracy, strengthen public confidence and serve the interests of future generations.
𝗜 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗠𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿.
