Magama Wants Direct Election Of President

By Tumelo Setshogo
Correspondent | Monday February 11, 2008 00:00

Magama wants the Constitution to provide for the direct election of the president  and abolishment of automatic succession by the vice president to the presidency on death, resignation or ceasing to hold office of the incumbent. 'This is a motion about governance, and in a democracy, all positions should be open to contest so that people can choose the best person to lead them,' explained Magama in support of his motion.

He said it is unthinkable that in a democracy, a president who is not popularly elected 'should enjoy the sole right to choose a future president for the nation'.

'This practice makes the presidency look like chieftainship which is hereditary,' argued the legislator. 

He argued that the concentration of power in a president who is not directly elected defeats the whole notion of liberal democracy 'and the doctrine of separation of powers'. Magama said the doctrine of separation of powers assumes that there is a balance between the three branches of government, which are the judiciary, legislature and executive. Magama told Parliament that some of the democratic institutions and practices have become anachronistic and 'are in urgent need of reforms'. According to Magama, for many years, this electoral system has yielded unsatisfactory results by distorting the support of political parties on the ground.

'Although Botswana has the longest surviving democracy in sub-Saharan Africa, the country remains deficient in the application of democratic norms,' he said.

Magama continued to say: 'The late Sir Seretse Khama once said that democracy is like a plant which needs to be nurtured through constant watering and it is now many years since the plant called democracy in Botswana was watered and it is beginning to decay'.

The MP said the survey carried out in May/July 2005 by the Afro-Barometer project, found that 63percent of the respondents preferred the idea of a popularly elected president as opposed to 33percent who wanted the current system.

'Seventy-seven percent of those affiliated to the BNF, 71 percent of BCP and 55 percent of BDP members supported the direct election of the president,' revealed Magama. On the issue of automatic succession to the presidency, Magama told Parliament that 57 percent of the respondents wanted the current system to change.

'On the contrary, 41 percent of those interviewed said that the current system must be retained,' he said.

Magama said the overwhelming support for a directly elected president across the party divide, is sufficient evidence that the time has come to review the way the president is elected 'to make him or her directly accountable to the electorates'.

He pleaded with Parliament to distinguish itself from its predecessors and strengthen democracy in Botswana 'by amending the Constitution to ensure that people will directly elect the next president'.

Meanwhile, his plea seems to have fallen in deaf ears among the BDP members as Tonota South MP, Pono Moatlhodi and Mahalapye East MP, Botlhogile Tshireletso, did no support him. Tshireletso said the current system has served the country well and there is no reason it should be changed now. 'Some countries are in trouble because of the system you want,' reminded Tshireletso.

The debate continues next week.