Constitution: According to the constitution of the Republic of Botswana, all eligible citizens have the right to vote in an election for people/candidates of their own choice. Further to that, the civil service Act stipulates that civil servants should not actively participate in politics but have the right to choose a party of their own choice and deserve the right to choose a candidate of their own preference in an election. The constitution also allows them to attend political rallies at their own will without active participation at such forums.
Politics: It is absolutely clear that national elections and primary elections all encompass politics. Any election in a democratic setup involves choosing a candidate of one’s choice. Furthermore, candidates in both spheres speak the same language and talk the same issues that affect the communities they serve. The only difference is that political organisations do not have ‘Independent Electoral Commissions’, but have organs such as Electoral boards which operate in a similar way to the latter. Political campaigns at both levels are conducted either vocally or in a discreet manner whichever way is preferred. Therefore, the question of what is deemed to be politics in context of Botswana does not immediately arise. The powers that be, should desist from displaying arrogantly excessive powers bestowed upon them by the constitution of the land.
The question: In a democracy a citizen whether civil servant or not has the right to identify a candidate of one’s choice right from the beginning. A candidate whose capability has been sorted out from grass root level should ideally be the one to vote for during the national election. Why should a civil servant be given an opportunity to vote at national level when he/she has been denied the right to vote during primary elections. With this view in mind, then the civil service Act should be reviewed to allow civil servants to be given their democratic right to vote in both elections.
The direction: If one is a registered party member and is not allowed by the act to choose a candidate of one’s choice then the system is clearly undemocratic. In one way or the other, a would be voter will be compelled to vote for an incapable candidate whose stature in the society is questionable. If the system allows this situation to happen, then civil servants will be frustrated and will be forced to vote for the opposite number who might be a better candidate to represent people well.
As far as everyone is concerned, civil servants do not wear party colours, they do not fly party flags and logos and have never participated actively in politics. This message has always been clear and understood by all. Why should someone somewhere panic this time around? My conscience tells me that some advisors sell seeds of discord to win the favour of their masters. Whoever is preaching the message, he or she is deceiving the leadership. Since when did government institutions inspect voter’s roll of political parties? How did government know that civil servants registered to vote in the party primaries? How did government identify civil servants in the voter’s roll? Out of frustration, the civil service might be forced to sympathise with other political parties. The position that the government is taking will affect the well being of all political parties including the ruling party. ‘Le kobela ba direla puso kwa diphathing tse dingwe le sa lemoge’
Truly, we must be seen to be a nation that upholds the spirit of democracy at all times whether the situation favours or not. The situation as it were could in a way be construed that African leadership including Botswana function in the same way. ‘Lo re tshegisa Mafatshe’.
In a true democracy voter’s rolls are prepared well ahead of time at least several months before the actual date of elections. It is very clear that the party executive together with the organ mandated to make preparations for party primaries failed to do as instructed, they in fact prepared the voter’s rolls hurriedly a few days before. This state of affairs denied party members the opportunity to make thorough inspection of the rolls. As a result of this situation, a considerable number of members of the party did not appear in the voter’s roll.
The situation is without question that the party office prepared membership cards the last hour, this resulted in membership cards being distributed on polling day in a haphazard and chaotic manner. Many eligible constituents could not vote because the party failed dismally to give them membership cards. Sensible patriotic citizens can obviously tell that democracy in this country is being eroded by a few selfish self seeking men. Imagine, in a constituency with more than five thousand (5,000) members, less than half the number of registered members voted. The frustrated general membership, and bona fide members of the Republic might look somewhere else where opportunity would avail itself.
Many Batswana know very well that the Independent Electoral Commission has been established through an Act of parliament hence it should be left to operate independently. If the executive arm of government makes and pronounces electoral decisions without any reference to the Independent Electoral Commission, then many Batswana will be compelled to think that there is out right dictatorship in Botswana today. The Electoral Commission should be given a chance to do their mandate fairly without fear or favour.
Ideally, the leadership should not be perceived to be hiding behind expressions such as ‘in the good interest of the public’, government decided to take necessary steps to curb an impending situation. If the trend persists, then Botswana might be labelled a dictator in the same manner as do other countries in the region and elsewhere. It is well known that despotic regimes do not only kill but have the tendency to suppress innocent individuals in the name of good governance. Batswana have matured over many years of social growth and have faced numerous economic challenges that bedevilled the world today. At the current stage their level of thinking is proper and they are mentally fit to make either individual or group choices which should not under any circumstances be undermined by anybody.
Pretence will not take anybody anywhere, if the house is in such a mess that even a small child can see why then play ‘hide and seek’. Just a few days ago when nations mourned the death of Nelson Mandela, they reflected on the truth he was prepared to die for. Mandela was buried a week ago and his legacy is fast fading in Botswana. In the very recent past a Top Executive member has given this nation and the world false information that democrats performed exceedingly well during the last primary elections and that he is confident the Democratic Party would do extremely well during the forthcoming general elections. The ‘winds of change are coming’, whether one likes it or not the winds are blowing all over the world and they are coming our way.
Certainly, this is no era for dictators, years of oppression are long gone and no single civilised human being will ever allow the other to suppress him/her. The world stage has seen many Kings and Queens appreciate the democratic stance nations have taken. Democratically elected leaders and governments should likewise create an environment within which citizens enjoy freedom as laid down in freedom charters.
Basic freedoms include the right of an eligible individual or groups of people to fully participate in an election. If at any time a person decides to tell his nation lies about conduct of elections, then by so doing he would be denying his own people the right to know. During one of his trials in court Nelson Mandela said, ‘many people in this country have paid the price before me, and many will pay the price after me’. Indeed, he was prepared to die for the truth, at the expense of his wife, children and the nation. Despite all these assertions, some people in this country still find it easy to tell the world lies about situations.
The party leadership should without hesitation and in the interest of Batswana seriously consider relieving the implicated persons of their duties with immediate effect. Remember, that Botswana is known throughout the world to be a shining example of democracy.
The good name of Botswana should be maintained at all costs in order to sustain the democracy that we cherish.
