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Summary APC3701 - The Politics Of Southern Africa - Botswana's Elections R50,00
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Summary APC3701 - The Politics Of Southern Africa - Botswana's Elections

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Write an essay in which you critically discuss the reasons why, according to Mogalakwe (2015), Botswana’s election management body (EMB) does not have the ability to ensure that elections in Botswana are fair

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  • November 11, 2021
  • 5
  • 2018/2019
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INTRODUCTION

Botswana has been praised as a shining example of democracy and as
an African miracle. Apart from its high HIV/AIDS prevalence, it boats with
an impressive economic, democratic and governance credentials.

The oversight mechanisms for an effective functioning include a strong
and independent parliament capable of holding the executive
accountable and transparent. But, the existence of a parliament is not
synonymous with democracy, yet it is impossible for democracy to
function without a parliament.

The three basic functions of parliament include legislation,
representation and oversight. Parliament is charged with the
responsibility of law making, representing the interests of its people and
providing checks and balances to control the executive.

Oversight is defined as legislative control and supervision of executive
control. Parliament is the only state institution that can hold the
government accountable.

This essay will provide an argument to expose Botswana’s weak
oversight institutions. In particular, the IEC (independent electoral
commission) are too weak to effectively carry out mandates of providing
checks and balances.

This essay offers an analysis of the weaknesses of these institutions and
concludes that they are appendages of the presidency, and that this
scenario is against the consolidation of the country’s democracy.



BODY

THE PARLIAMENT OF BOTSWANA

According to the Constitution of Botswana, the primary mandate of
parliament is to make laws for the peace, order and good government in
Botswana.

Between the three organs of state (parliament, executive and judiciary),
the executive is more powerful than the other two organs. Because of

, the executive’s ability to ensure that desired legislation is passed, it is
fair to conclude that, the executive controls parliament.

BOTSWANA PARLIAMENT VIS-À-VIS THE EXECUTIVE

The development of the legislature is both a dependent and independent
variable in relation to democratisation, and the process of democratic
consolidation cannot thrive in the absence of a strong and powerful
legislature.

The constitution of Botswana confers almost unlimited power on the
President, Ian Khama, whom has followed in the footsteps of his
predecessors.

The parliament of Botswana has many weaknesses which impact the
autonomy and independence in the implementation of its constitutional
function. Some of these weaknesses are legal, administrative or
organisational.

The ruling party parliamentary also contributes to the weakness of
parliament, due to the BDP constitution which describes disciplinary
sanction on member who go against decisions in Parliament; therefore
they have no real influence of its constitutional mandate.

It shows to which extent Ian Khama can exercise his powers to quell
dissent within the ranks of his party, which is a difficult environment for
ruling party legislators to challenge the actions of the
government/executive.

Botswana’s electoral system, where members are elected from single
member districts, also hinders the ability of parliament to become a
powerful institution. Single member district representation affects the
functions of the legislature as individual members of Parliament give
priority to constituency service.

The neglect of constituency service exposes legislators to risk losing of
elections. Another problem with the Botswana Parliament has to do with
cabinet ministers and assistant ministers who are appointed from the
ranks of members of Parliament.

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