Voter trafficking: Why the fuss only post-2014 :: Mmegi Online

Voter trafficking is as old as the hills in our independent Botswana. The opposition parties have always raised the alarm at this insidious phenomenon that continues to dominate our so-called free and fair elections.

Batswana have always been sold and fed the cheap and unappetising menu of ‘free and fair’ elections. Outside observers, foreign media and diplomatic missions have been in the forefront, leading the sale of the junk meal of ‘free-and-fair’ elections in Botswana. They sing the discordant tune of ‘Botswana, the shining example of democracy.’ Only recently a few observers sensitised by objective political analysts have added a hesitant ‘but.’ General elections in Botswana are free ‘but,’ not fair, is the new verdict.

The ‘but’ comes about after the realisation that the elections cannot be fair as long as one of the players is, player, referee and linesman! The scenario typifies the situation in Botswana general elections.