SANF 04 no 94
The Secretary of the Independent Electoral Commission in Botswana says the country will not follow the guidelines for elections recently adopted by the region because these have not yet been endorsed by Parliament.
The leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including Botswana, adopted the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections at their recent Summit in Mauritius.
However, the IEC secretary, Gabriel Seeletso added that the SADC guidelines are similar to Botswana’s existing electoral laws.
The IEC was first appointed after the 1994 general elections, and conducted the presidential and parliamentary elections in 1999, as well as several by-elections. There was an increase in spoilt ballot papers in 1999, resulting from the introduction of a new ballot paper.
For the current elections, there has been considerable civic education with most political parties assisting. More young people are expected to vote than in previous elections, mainly because of the high youth unemployment and poverty prevailing in the country.
The IEC is chaired by a judge of the High Court of Botswana and the other members, one of whom should be a lawyer, are Batswana of high standing and integrity.
The IEC is appointed by the Judicial Service Commission after the nominations and shortlisting are done by an all-party conference.
The daily work of the IEC is the responsibility of the Executive Secretary, who is appointed by the Office of the President.
The opposition has protested that this makes the elections free but not fair because the officials are appointed by the president. Paul Rantao of the Botswana National Front (BNF) said, “The president is a referee as well as a player.”
Rantao also claimed that the Delimitation Commission increased the number of seats in ruling party strongholds but not in areas where the opposition has support. He also charged that the ruling party dominates the national media.
Should there be a conflict over balloting, this is to be resolved by the returning officer and party agents. If there is no agreement, it is referred to the Secretary of the IEC. If there is still no resolution, the matter has to be referred to the High Court of Botswana. Complainants can also go directly to the High Court.
For the first time, the Botswana elections will be monitored by international observers from SADC, the African Union and other international organizations, and arrangements are in place for their accreditation.
According to the IEC rules, the observers should avoid doing anything that would indicate or be seen as indicating partisan support. They are not allowed to accept any gifts or favours from any political organization or person involved in the election process.
They are expected to observe the elections impartially and independently, and to provide the IEC with a copy of their report on the conduct of the elections.
The European Union has declined to send an observer mission, saying it has confidence in Botswana’s electoral process and institutions, and local observers.
Seeletso said they are expecting a good turn out for the elections from the 500,000 people (60 percent of those eligible) who have registered to vote. Voting will be conducted in more than 2000 polling stations scattered across the country within a 500 metre walking distance for most registered voters. The IEC has engaged the support of civil servants to help them to oversee the elections.
Batswana living outside the country, the police and other polling officers who shall oversee the elections already cast their votes on 16 October.
Another setback for SADC in Botswana, where the organization has its headquarters, is the limited number of women candidates. Out of 57 constituencies, only 12 women candidates from different parties are vying for parliamentary seats. The ruling party, the Botswana Democracy Party (BDP), is fielding seven women parliamentary candidates.
A BDP official, Botsalo Ntuane, said they do not ascribe to the 30 percent quota of representation for women adopted by SADC leaders in 1997, as they feel that women should contest for the party’s primary elections “like everyone else”.
Opposition parties insist that they could field more women candidates only if the country adopts a proportional representative electoral system.
The BDP has won all presidential and parliamentary elections since 1966, and is widely expected to win this one. (SARDC)
