1997 Botswana electoral reform referendum

none April 2022 A referendum on electoral reform was held in Botswana on 4 October 1997. The referendum had three separate proposals, and came following promises made by President Quett Masire after violent protests in 1995.Botswana: Constitutional and electoral reform EISA All three proposals were passed, although voter turnout was only around 17%.Elections in Botswana: Botswana ReferendumsAugust 2026 InternetArchiveBot African Elections Database Question I The first question asked voters whether they approved of amending the constitution, and replace the post of Supervisor of Elections, introduced following the 1987 referendum, and replacing it with an independent electoral commission. ChoiceVotes%For45,12273.16Against16,55026.84Invalid/blank votes201–Total61,873100Registered voters/turnout370,17316.71Source: African Elections DatabaseAugust 2026 InternetArchiveBot Question II The second question asked voters whether they approved of amending the constitution to allow Botswanans living abroad to vote. ChoiceVotes%For43,55570.42Against18,29529.58Invalid/blank votes197–Total62,047100Registered voters/turnout370,17316.76Source: African Elections DatabaseAugust 2026 InternetArchiveBot Question III The third question asked voters whether they approved of amending the constitution to lower the voting age from 21 to 18. ChoiceVotes%For36,27558.74Against25,47541.26Invalid/blank votes198–Total61,948100Registered voters/turnout370,17316.73Source: African Elections DatabaseAugust 2026 InternetArchiveBot References Botswana Electoral Category:Referendums in Botswana Category:Electoral reform in Botswana Category:Electoral reform referendums Category:October 1997 in Africa