1987 Botswana electoral reform referendum

A referendum on electoral reform was held in Botswana on 27 October 1987, the first time a referendum had been held in the country. The proposal involved the creation of the post of Supervisor of Elections, which would be appointed by the government. The referendum was passed with 78.1% of voters in favour.^[1]

Following the referendum, the next general elections, held in 1989, were boycotted by the Botswana National Front because the reforms did not provide for an independent electoral commission.^[2] The changes were reversed following another referendum in 1997.

Results

Choice	Votes	%
For	45,227	78.1
Against	12,681	21.9
Invalid/blank votes		–
Total	57,908	100
Registered voters/turnout
Source: African Elections Database

References

^ Botswana Referenda African Elections Database
^ Botswana: 1987 Referendum EISA

[1] Botswana Referenda African Elections Database

[2] Botswana: 1987 Referendum EISA

[1]

[2]

v t e 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 2019 2024
Local elections	1966 1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014 2019
Referendums	1987 1997 2001