A call for calm and unity towards October 30
Tuesday, October 08, 2024 | 620 Views |
Political parties are actively campaigning, with the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) facing scrutiny not only for its policies but also for alleged connections to political practices in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, the opposition is voicing concerns over potential electoral ‘rigging’ and the composition of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), selected by the Judicial Service Commission. We have also had disturbing trends where candidates destroy each other’s campaign material in addition to dirty campaigns.
Yet, while this crisis ravages the communities, the administration is championing a major, resource-intensive legal reform and the establishment of a dedicated Constitutional Court. While the principle of strengthening constitutional justice is commendable, the timing is profoundly misplaced. When the President himself admits the government coffers are limited, every thebe and every moment of political capital must be directed towards the...