Democracy the best government system known to mankind!
Michael Dingake | Thursday July 3, 2014 07:00
Domkrag members tell anyone who cares to listen, that ‘there’s ‘still no alternative.’ The party president who is also the president of the Republic goes further to say his party means to win all the 57 seats! The opposition parties not to be outdone fancy themselves big time upsets this time around: The BCP targets a bare minimum 29 seats, necessary to take over the government; the other main contender the UDC also fancies itself victorious in the coming general elections; Mekoko (Independent candidates) each of the 20 of course aim at nothing less than a win. Mekoko unfortunately, cannot form a government even if each one of them wins their respective constituencies!
Why have the opposition parties so far failed to be victorious at the polls? Why has the race been won by the BDP consistently? Multiparty democratic elections were relatively new, and little understood by voters who previously were ruled by unelected hereditary dikgosi (chiefs). It was no surprise when in 1965 the party led by Seretse Khama , Bangwato kgosi designate won by a landslide, with only one opposition party registering three seats. While he lived and was president of the BDP, the routine of returning the BDP to power was assured, the opposition share of seats fluctuating between three and five until the opposition Botswana national Front (BNF)broke the ceiling by winning 13 seats in 1994.
The breakthrough could have lived and probably turned the tables against the BDP had the BNF not split one year before the next general elections. The split obviously disillusioned the voters and tarnished the image of the opposition; the culture of democratic elections to legitimise the principle of multiparty democracy in Botswana was a bit tarnished.
Nevertheless, Batswana are gradually beginning to understand the import of democratic elections, what with corruption incidents at the top, making headline news all the time! In urban centres where this kind of news breaks out on a daily basis, Batswana are beginning to ask many questions on governance. It is in the remote, poverty stricken rural areas, starved of information and flooded by blanket, goat, one-band radio sets personally delivered by the president where the slogan, ‘still no alternative’ still holds sway. Batswana in the remote rural areas are starved of quality information from both sides of the political spectrum. Radio Botswana, Btv and the Daily News monopolised by the state makes it difficult for the people to be fully informed of political affairs.
The state media deliberately circulates and broadcasts state information which projects government in a good light. Batswana in the remote areas seldom hear of opposition parties’ activities or viewpoints including those of their representatives in parliament simply because live parliamentary debates are not broadcast on radio and television.
The above scenario brings us to the major complaints by opposition parties that general elections in Botswana may be free but are far from fair. The Botswana elections are free in the sense that they are free from violence and intimidation but unfair because the playground is not level. Besides unlike in other democracies there is no public party funding in Botswana, opposition parties finance election campaigns from their pockets while the ruling party enjoys resources through the incumbency and generous donations from the business community. Thus resourced the ruling party enjoys tremendous advantage while opposition parties are hobbled by lack of basic resources to compete fairly.
This year private radio station Gabz fm in conjunction with the American Embassy and the British High Commission in Botswana, has come up with a novel idea to liven up competition by organising debates around the vast country.
Our electoral system being First-Past-The- Post or single constituency where political parties field candidates in each constituency and the winner takes all, most voters will benefit by meeting the candidates, hearing what they plan to do for them and ask them questions to probe their sincerity . The audience being local people, will have a good opportunity to hear what the candidates hold for them; the audience in turn will direct questions on matters close to their hearts and learn how each candidate pledges to serve their interest if elected to parliament. The debates are eagerly awaited.
They are expected to generate a lot of interest around the country and bring the candidates close to the people. Democracy, best form of government, always comes back to haunt the cheats, given an opportunity.
I am astounded to learn that although this forum has been welcomed enthusiastically by the opposition parties, the BDP has not committed itself to participation yet . Should the BDP turn down the invitation to be part of the arrangement altogether, it will have to answer the question whether Botswana under its rule is still the shining example of democracy it was known to be, internationally. Otherwise the BDP is bankrupt in democratic values, alternatively scared out of its wits to face the restive electorates fast learning about the beauty of democracy. May it be that the BDP realises its candidates are not up to scratch to face their opponents? Madomi, please make up your mind, whether you are still democrats or not!