Botswana electoral reform referendum, 1997

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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.^[1] All three proposals were passed, although voter turnout was only around 17%.^[2]

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.^[2]

Question II

The second question asked voters whether they approved of amending the constitution to allow Batswana living aboard to vote.^[2]

Question III

The third question asked voters whether they approved of amending the constitution to lower the voting age from 21 to 18.^[2]

References

Elections and referendums in Botswana
General elections	1921 1924 1927 1930 1933 1936 1939 1942 1945 1948 1951 1954 1957 1961 1965 1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014
Local elections	1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009
Referendums	1987 1997 2001