No democracy is possible without the right to vote. In fact, Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country and that the will of the people shall be the basis of authority of government. It states further that this shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections, which shall be universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
By now it is common knowledge that Friday the 16th, October has been declared a Public Holiday to allow Batswana to go and vote for a government of their choice. This day will go down as one of the most important days in history as Batswana will descend to the polls to elect people who will represent them in parliament and local government for the next five years.
Sadly for Botswana, while the country has held nine successive elections since 1965, there is a problem of a general low turn out for registration and voting.
For instance, out of a population of 609 000 eligible to vote in 2004,only 60.8 percent registered to vote and in 1999, 800 000 people were eligible to vote and only 57.6 percent registered out of which 41 percent managed to vote. In the recent elections of 2004, about 552 849 registered to vote and only 76.2 percent voted.
It is against this background that this paper, in its maiden edition, would like to urge all citizens who have registered to take the opportunity this coming Friday to cast a vote for candidates or party of their choice.
Voting is of fundamental importance as it legitimizes the exercise of state power and authority.
It is through the vote that people subject themselves to the rule and authority of those in control of state. It is equally through the vote that those who exercise state authority are empowered.
While people may not go and vote because they are content with the manner in which they are governed, it is not enough a reason for one to forfeit their right.
Some, however, are not aware of their rights and obligations while there is in some quarters absence of an understanding and appreciation of the costs and benefits that can come out of participating in an election.
Elections, among other things provide a basis for political stability, economic growth and social progress. It is important to state that elected representatives make important decisions on behalf of the people. Hence the need for them to be voted by a large number of voters. Institutions, such as parliament, ruling parties or government, suffer credibility crisis if they are voted in by the minority.
Our role as players in the political process is not to use this opportunity as a platform to break or make political careers but to urge the citizenry to rise in numbers to exercise their democratic right. This right is sacrosanct and the opportunity to have a say about the government of the day comes once in five years. It is a right for Batswana to hire and fire politicians.
Not withstanding that there are in some quarters a negative sentiment given to voting and the electoral process as serving the interests of a few individuals or that elected representatives flee the scene after being elected. Among others, there are complaints that our country’s political culture restricts competition for political office; political parties have been accused of failing to attract ordinary people to run for political office and, generally, people are adverse to the long queues that are normally prevalent during election days.
However, all this is not worth it, especially when scaled against the good that comes from citizen’s participation in nominating individuals to be custodians of state coffers.
Elections give the electorate a chance to conscientiously send to parliament or council individuals who will not go against any promises they made prior to the elections. Put differently, through their votes, the electorates are armed and have a choice to reject those politicians who only appear during elections time. This right to vote has to be exercised with rationality and not emotions.
It is on this note that this paper, which subscribes to the ideals of a true democratic society, would like to repeat the clarion call to all Batswana to each take an opportunity to exercise their democratic right come October 16th. It is imperative that voters turn out in droves.
