Elections in Botswana: A Ritual Enterprise?

Abstract

Botswana has the reputation of being Africa's longest surviving democracy having held uninterrupted elections at five year intervals since the pre-independence elections of 1965. The latest elections were held in October 2009. Although in democratic discourse it is assumed and/or expected that the holding of regular free, fair and competitive multiparty elections should provide an opportunity of regime change, this has so far not materialized in Botswana. The country is therefore a dominant-party system with only one political party, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), having won all the elections held so far. This paper argues that there is nothing inherently undemocratic with people voting for the same political party provided the political playing field is level. A number of factors are advanced to explain the dominance of the BDP in the country's politics. These include, inter alia, the perceived delivery of the ruling party, the politics of patronage, advantages of incumbency and other factors related to the culture of Batswana. Having said this, it is concluded that recent political events in the country point towards the emergence of a new undemocratic culture which may result in the reversal of the system of one-party dominance. Thus, it is argued that the dominance of the BDP in the country's politics is likely to be seriously challenged in the not too distant future.

The critical role of leadership in Botswana’s development: What lessons?

“…Khama was brought into politics by former president Festus Mogae with the view to ending factionalism within the BDP (Taylor, 2005b). However, it appears factionalism within the BDP has intensified under Khama’s leadership and he has, for unknown reasons, become associated with one of the factions in the party (Botlhomilwe and Sebudubudu, 2011). Instead of uniting the party, he largely manages it by advocating a compromise list, as opposed to holding elections for the executive positions of the party.…”

“…However, a military background is not necessarily an impediment to embracing democratic values. As Botlhomilwe, Sebudubudu and Maripe (2011: 345) remind us, ‘Experience has shown that even people who have been confined to total institutions have successfully re-entered conventional society,’ The other possible reason for his undemocratic tendencies is the fact that he wielded too much power before reaching the age of maturity. To be appointed a Brigadier in the army at the age of 24 is not a common occurrence in world armies.…”