Voter Registration Guide for Registration Officers in Botswana
Dive into an informative presentation outlining the Electoral Act, qualifications, and importance of voter registration in Botswana. Get insights on duties, legal frameworks, and procedural aspects essential for Registration Officers (ROs) in managing voter registration effectively.
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2023 VOTER 2023 VOTER REGISTRATION REGISTRATION A GUIDE TO REGISTRATION OFFICERS A GUIDE TO REGISTRATION OFFICERS
CONTENTS OF THIS PRESENTATION Introduction Objectives of the training Guiding legal framework Importance of voter registration Qualifications for voter registration Place of voter registration Reasons for rejection during voter registration Procedure for rejection of voter registration Completion of voter registration forms Simulation exercise
INTRODUCTION Election Roll: Election Roll: is the foundation to a transparent 2024 election. Registration Officers: Registration Officers: are entrusted with the sensitive task of managing voter registration. Data Integrity: Data Integrity: ROs must therefore ensure confidentiality and accuracy.
Objectives of the training Skills Development: Skills Development: Equip ROs with skills in registration procedures. Clarifying Duties: Clarifying Duties: Define roles of Registration Officers and Supervisors. Learning from History Learning from History Reflect on prior Voter Registration experiences. Practical Engagement: Practical Engagement: Simulate the voter registration process.
Legal Frameworks for Voter Registration Registration of voter is governed by: Constitution of Botswana Constitution of Botswana (Cap 1) Qualifications (S67) Electoral Act Electoral Act (Cap 02:09) Registration Procedure (S7 16)
IMPORTANCE OF VOTER REGISTRATION IMPORTANCE OF VOTER REGISTRATION Constitutional Right: Constitutional Right: Voting anchored in the Constitution: Section 67 Section 67. Gateway to Participation: Gateway to Participation: Registration enables voting (EA S54 S35 S35), and Polling Agent roles (EA S49 EA S54), candidate support (EA EA S49). EA Upholding Democracy: Upholding Democracy: Inaccurate registration risks disenfranchising citizens.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTER REGISTRATION Nationality: Nationality: Citizen of Botswana. Age Requirement: Age Requirement: At least 18 years old. Identification: Identification: Possession of a valid National Identity Card (Omang). In In- -Person Verification: Person Verification: Physical presence before the Registration Officer at the polling station.
Criteria for Voter Registration Location Constituency Polling District Polling Station Place of Origin: Place of Origin: Register in one's home village/town. Principal Residence: Principal Residence: Register where one ordinarily resides.
Reasons for Voter Registration Rejection Invalid Identity: Invalid Identity: Only a valid Omang is accepted. Age Restriction: Age Restriction: Must have attained the age of 18 years. Residency Mismatch: Residency Mismatch: Registration required in the actual polling district of residence. Duplicate Registration: Duplicate Registration: Cannot register again for the 2024 elections. Misrepresentation: Misrepresentation: Must be the person they claim to be. Mental Capacity: Mental Capacity: Cannot be registered if certified of unsound mind under Botswana laws.
Procedure for Rejecting Voter Registration Procedure for Rejecting Voter Registration Eligibility Inquiry: Eligibility Inquiry: Enquire about the voter's eligibility to ensure validity. Upon Dissatisfaction: Upon Dissatisfaction: Advise the applicant of the issue. Documentation: Documentation: Fill out "Notice of Rejection" in Form C, in triplicate. Distribution: Distribution: Hand the original to the applicant. Provide a copy to the Principal Registration Officer.
COMPLETION OF VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS Form A: Voter s Registration Record Card Form A: Voter s Registration Record Card Captures essential applicant information for a valid entry in the Voters' Roll. Submission: Directly to the IEC. Form B: Voter s Registration Card Form B: Voter s Registration Card Serves as the tangible Voter Card taken home by the registrant. Primary evidence of registration. Mandatory for the voting process.
COMPLETING FORM A: COMPLETING FORM A: In the presence of the applicant; In the presence of the applicant; Applicant's Details: Applicant's Details: Enter details from Omang onto Form A. Contact Information: Contact Information: Fill in as provided by the applicant. Verification: Verification: Ask the applicant to review Form A and sign. Tools for Writing: Tools for Writing: Use HB 110 pencil ONLY for writing on the form. Ballpoint pen for signatures, date, and language After the applicant has left After the applicant has left; Shading: Shading: With an HB 110 pencil, shade one form at a time on a hard, smooth surface. Shade each corresponding letter/number inside its appropriate circle. Marking Guidance Marking Guidance: Marks shouldn't be too light or too dark. Ensure marks stay within circles and avoid stray markings. NB: Do not shade anything in the NB: Do not shade anything in the presence of the applicant presence of the applicant except SEX except SEX Corrections: Thoroughly erase any mistakes before making corrections.
COMMON ERRORS WHEN COMPLETING FORM A COMMON ERRORS WHEN COMPLETING FORM A Shading beyond the provided circle. Eraser residue scattered throughout the form distort information. which may Shading cancel cancel form form' portion on a valid form. Capturing and/or Shading Polling Station Codes Incorrectly which misplaces voters Registration of ineligible citizens who are underage. Incorrect capturing and/or shading of voters particulars ( ID numbers and names). Swapping of Form B between applicants.
COMPLETING FORM B COMPLETING FORM B Fill out Form B using a ball point pen ball point pen (blue/black) Write all the required information using CAPITAL LETTERS CAPITAL LETTERS At the portion of the polling station, write the NAME station (not the code) NAME of the polling Write the Omang mang number of the applicant number of the applicant in the space provided Ensure that the applicant appends his/her signature on Form B Form B If applicant cannot sign the forms due to disability/inability, they must make a cross. After successful completion of Form B, tear it out along the perforation and fold it into half along the line. Put it into a pouch and present it to the applicant for safe keeping polling day (and afterwards). safe keeping until
Responsibilities of Principal Registration Officer Responsibilities of Principal Registration Officer Overall supervision and management of registration of voters in the Constituency. Undertakes any other duties as may be assigned by the secretary of the IEC. Receives and processes queries relating to registration in the Constituency. Submit completed registration books to HQ weekly for data entry. Accountable for the welfare of all registration officers in the constituency.
Responsibilities of Regional Registration Supervisor Responsibilities of Regional Registration Supervisor Overall supervision of Registration Supervisors area of coverage. Reports matters regarding the voter registration exercise to the Principal Registration Officer. Weekly collection of registration books from registration supervisors. Undertakes any other duties as may be assigned. in the assigned
Responsibilities of a Voter Registration Supervisor Responsibilities of a Voter Registration Supervisor Overall supervision of registration of voters in the Constituency. Reports matters regarding the Voter Registration exercise to the Regional Registration Supervisor. Provides and keeps track of the registration forms for the constituency/area of coverage. Ensures proper completion and availability of forms at all times. Collects, checks and submits complete forms to the Regional Registration Supervisor for consequent submission to Principal Registration Officer. Collates statistics for periodic submission to the Regional Registration Supervisor for consequent submission to Principal Registration Officer. Collection of registration books from registration clerks. Undertakes any other duties as may be assigned.
Responsibilities Responsibilitiesof a Voter Registration Clerk of a Voter Registration Clerk Registers voters within their respective polling station. Ensures proper care, security, safety and cleanliness of registration books/forms entrusted to them. Ensures that voters who present themselves to be registered possess the relevant requirements for registration. Otherwise advising them accordingly. Undertakes any other duties as may be assigned. Records the last Registration Serial Number used in the book for the day. Ensures that Polling Stations are opened everyday as follows: Weekdays 0800 Hrs. 1800 Hrs. Weekends 0800 Hrs. 1600 Hrs.
Challenges from Previous Voter Registrations Absentee Registrations: Absentee Registrations: Corrupt officers registering voters who are absent. Intentional misplacement of voters. Registering outside official times and places: Registering outside official times and places: Accepting registrations after official hours from corrupt Individuals. Registering voters out of official times and places. Data Mismanagement: Data Mismanagement: Mishandling of registration books, compromising integrity. Procedural Lapses: Procedural Lapses: Errors like forgetting to shade as required. Dereliction of duty: Dereliction of duty: Failure to perform duties or obligations.
CAUTION !!!!!!! CAUTION !!!!!!! All All Form As must be kept in the book at all times, even when they have detached from the book, in sequential order. Do not use anything pages/forms in the book. anything (staples, glue, bostik , tape etc) to secure the The black tally marks black tally marks on the side of the form A are a very important feature of the form and must not be tempered with. Keep the pages clean at all times and keep the books safe!
Critical Note !!!!!!! !!!!!!! If the Reg. Officer is unsure of procedure, he/she must refer to the Supervisor
Thanks! Any questions?
Mock Registration Mock Registration Exercise Exercise 1 1 Assuming yourself as an applicant, please use the form provided to register yourself. NB: NB: This exercise checks understanding of the trainee at individual level and presents a scenario for cancel form , because it is illegal to register oneself. After self registration, instruct for cancel form.
Mock Registration Mock Registration Exercise 2 Exercise 2 Working in pairs, register one another in turns, using the information below: Constituency = Gaborone (32)* Polling District = Fairgrounds (233)* Polling Station = IEC Office* Conference Room (1667)* (*customise to your area) Note: Note: Exercise checks consistency throughout the group
Mock Mock Registration Registration Exercise Exercise 3 3 Organise the trainees into new pairs. Have trainees register one another in turns using their actual information.
