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.
