A few years ago, the ruling party agreed in principle that those rejected by the electorate at the polls should not be allowed into Parliament through the back door by way of special appointment.
That principled undertaking was sadly to be broken by former President Festus Mogae when he appointed a loser, Margaret Nasha as an MP and subsequently a senior cabinet minister.
The provision for Specially Elected Members of Parliament – four of them at the moment – even though this government would rather have eight – is a symbol of all that is grossly immature about our democracy.
Different reasons have been given as to why this nasty piece of legislation was, to start with, ever included as part of our constitution.
Reasons given by those who participated in drafting the constitution are not only unhelpful but often confusing, contradictory and, many a times, disingenuous.
To this day, more crafty reasons are still coming to the fore to justify just why we ever needed and still need this inherently undemocratic system.
One reason seldom mentioned is that the provision tends to strengthen the hand of the leader and shields him against any potential rebellion from the opposition.
In an age of internal feuds (and we are living in one) this provision can also be used to shield the leader from the hawks from within his unruly ranks.
As we well know, many of the beneficiaries of the provision have often gone on to become senior ministers. In short, beneficiaries tend to be the President’s darlings.
Truth be said, if properly used, the provision would also enlarge the pool from which the leader can choose his cabinet.
Because the largesse is in a way directly owed to the leader, it has often cemented and guaranteed loyalty to himself while also creating competition, rivalry, jealousy and ambition among the beneficiaries.
It’s no exaggeration that the only consensus we find on this provision is that it is divisive.
It divides not just the ruling party but also the MPs and the nation as well.
For example, already the names of the likely beneficiaries are being wantonly thrown around ÔÇô Joy Phumaphi, Dorcas Malesu, Ken Matambo and, surprise, surprise, Jacob Nkate.
The list goes on, running much longer than the available spaces.
Come October, there is obviously going to be a fight at the high table.
There is no more glaring example of the contempt our constitution has on the voter than the provision of Specially Elected MPs.
It’s like telling the voters that because they are not sophisticated enough to make good choices for themselves, somebody else will do it for them.
The situation gets worse when it is the losers- those rejected by the electorate, as was the case with Margaret Nasha – who benefit from this provision.
I cannot think of a more evil spite, a more patronising humiliation, a more condescending arrogance against those who dare vote against the powers that be.
He may be strong and powerful but the current President is not at peace with himself.
Not only is he troubled by what is going on around him, he also knows that he may wake up on October 17 with the title of Former President dangling on his neck.
The IEC tells us that 721 000 Batswana have registered for the elections. This is the largest figure ever. A majority of that number, we are told, is the youth. These are the very people who have seen their liberties and freedom space shrink under the current leader.
To be sure, more than anyone of us, the President is awake to these realities and knows he is going to need a lot of support, may be sympathy, going forward.
He has annoyed too many souls inside his party to now take anything for granted, let alone count on them to do his bidding.
Again, the issue of who going forward is going to be a real Vice President still has to be settled.
There is no questioning that compromises and concessions are going to be made.
In a strange twist of events, the opposition benches are also getting more emboldened.
Just who becomes Specially Elected MPs has never been more important.
In a big way, these are the people who are going to become the powerbrokers.
I have a serious problem giving so much power to unelected people. The situation gets out of control when these people have actually been rejected at the polls.
Thus, if we are to continue with the system of Specially Elected MPs, for all its flaws, the beneficiaries should never, under any circumstances, be those who would have been rejected at the polling booths.
The coming General Elections present a new set of reality.
While the ruling party spin doctors continue to wax confident about scooping 70% share of the popular vote, the only man who matters, President Khama, has to his credit been so clearly preparing for the difficult times ahead.
He is not taking anything for granted.
I don’t know how many times this month he has visited Bobirwa constituency, there clearly to prop up a faltering Shaw Kgathi who seems to be out of his breath against the rejuvenated BCP’s Taolo Lucas.
I also don’t know how many times this month the President has had to fly to Ngami to help save his friend, Jacob Nkate, against a marching BCP/BAM alliance.
The stakes have never been higher and it is going to be very interesting.
Only we should not use Specially Elected MPs as a secret weapon to undermine the will of the people.
