In Search of an Alternative Electoral System for Botswana
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A Canadian Model of Proportional Representation by Robert S. Ring A
Proportional-first-past-the-post: A Canadian model of Proportional Representation by Robert S. Ring A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Political Science Memorial University St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador May 2014 ii Abstract For more than a decade a majority of Canadians have consistently supported the idea of proportional representation when asked, yet all attempts at electoral reform thus far have failed. Even though a majority of Canadians support proportional representation, a majority also report they are satisfied with the current electoral system (even indicating support for both in the same survey). The author seeks to reconcile these potentially conflicting desires by designing a uniquely Canadian electoral system that keeps the positive and familiar features of first-past-the- post while creating a proportional election result. The author touches on the theory of representative democracy and its relationship with proportional representation before delving into the mechanics of electoral systems. He surveys some of the major electoral system proposals and options for Canada before finally presenting his made-in-Canada solution that he believes stands a better chance at gaining approval from Canadians than past proposals. iii Acknowledgements First of foremost, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to my brilliant supervisor, Dr. Amanda Bittner, whose continuous guidance, support, and advice over the past few years has been invaluable. I am especially grateful to you for encouraging me to pursue my Master’s and write about my electoral system idea. -
Youth and Electoral Participation in Botswana
The African e-Journals Project has digitized full text of articles of eleven social science and humanities journals. This item is from the digital archive maintained by Michigan State University Library. Find more at: http://digital.lib.msu.edu/projects/africanjournals/ Available through a partnership with Scroll down to read the article. Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, Vol.14 NO.1 (2000) Youth and electoral participation in Botswana Tidimane Ntsabane & Chris Ntau Democracy Research Project University of Botswana Abstract This article focuses on the changing trends and patterns in the yoU/h's participation in the electoral process. It examines trends in electoral participation in general and that of the youth in particular and attempts an explanation. It draws on the results of accumulated surveys and opinion polls that have been conducted over the years by the Democracy Research Project (DRP) of the University of Botswana. The article argues that the reasons for the lower participation rates among the youth are to be found in traditional Tswana society's political culture that does not consider public affairs a domain for women and the yoU/h. This culture is reproduced by the major agencies of socialisation such as the family, school system, political parties and the media. Introduction Botswana's constitution embraces a liberal democratic system of government. This system enshrines in it among other principles participation by the general population, at least, in the electoral process. The country has experienced three decades of uninterrupted electoral democracy. It is against this background that this article assesses youth participation in the electoral process. -
Appendix A: Electoral Rules
Appendix A: Electoral Rules Table A.1 Electoral Rules for Italy’s Lower House, 1948–present Time Period 1948–1993 1993–2005 2005–present Plurality PR with seat Valle d’Aosta “Overseas” Tier PR Tier bonus national tier SMD Constituencies No. of seats / 6301 / 32 475/475 155/26 617/1 1/1 12/4 districts Election rule PR2 Plurality PR3 PR with seat Plurality PR (FPTP) bonus4 (FPTP) District Size 1–54 1 1–11 617 1 1–6 (mean = 20) (mean = 6) (mean = 4) Note that the acronym FPTP refers to First Past the Post plurality electoral system. 1The number of seats became 630 after the 1962 constitutional reform. Note the period of office is always 5 years or less if the parliament is dissolved. 2Imperiali quota and LR; preferential vote; threshold: one quota and 300,000 votes at national level. 3Hare Quota and LR; closed list; threshold: 4% of valid votes at national level. 4Hare Quota and LR; closed list; thresholds: 4% for lists running independently; 10% for coalitions; 2% for lists joining a pre-electoral coalition, except for the best loser. Ballot structure • Under the PR system (1948–1993), each voter cast one vote for a party list and could express a variable number of preferential votes among candidates of that list. • Under the MMM system (1993–2005), each voter received two separate ballots (the plurality ballot and the PR one) and cast two votes: one for an individual candidate in a single-member district; one for a party in a multi-member PR district. • Under the PR-with-seat-bonus system (2005–present), each voter cast one vote for a party list. -
Thesis Sci 2020 Mogende Emmanuel.Pdf
Africa’s ‘miracle state’? the intersection of political leaders and non-state actors in the greening of Botswana through wildlife Emmanuel Mogende Thesis presented for the Degree of DOCTOR of PHILOSOPHY Department of Environmental and Geographical Science University of Cape Town February 2020 University of Cape Town The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgement of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Published by the University of Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University of Cape Town DECLARATION I, EMMANUEL MOGENDE, declare that the work contained in this thesis is my own original work and that it has not been previously submitted for a degree or any other qualification at this University or any other institution. Signature: Date: 10/02/2020 i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It would have not been possible to complete this dissertation without the support and assistance of a number of individuals who deserve to be mentioned. I am greatly indebted for the enormous support and wisdom of my supervisor and mentor Prof. Maano Ramutsindela who provided the much-needed guidance throughout the PhD journey. Maano always offered constructive feedback on my writing and ideas and more often encouraged me to sit back and be reflective as I write. This has greatly helped me to improve on my writing as well as strengthen the argument of the thesis. Special thanks also go to the Faculty of Science in the University of Cape Town and the University of Botswana for generously funding my PhD. -
The Big Governance Issues in Botswana
MARCH 2021 THE BIG GOVERNANCE ISSUES IN BOTSWANA A CIVIL SOCIETY SUBMISSION TO THE AFRICAN PEER REVIEW MECHANISM Contents Executive Summary 3 Acknowledgments 7 Acronyms and Abbreviations 8 What is the APRM? 10 The BAPS Process 12 Ibrahim Index of African Governance Botswana: 2020 IIAG Scores, Ranks & Trends 120 CHAPTER 1 15 Introduction CHAPTER 2 16 Human Rights CHAPTER 3 27 Separation of Powers CHAPTER 4 35 Public Service and Decentralisation CHAPTER 5 43 Citizen Participation and Economic Inclusion CHAPTER 6 51 Transparency and Accountability CHAPTER 7 61 Vulnerable Groups CHAPTER 8 70 Education CHAPTER 9 80 Sustainable Development and Natural Resource Management, Access to Land and Infrastructure CHAPTER 10 91 Food Security CHAPTER 11 98 Crime and Security CHAPTER 12 108 Foreign Policy CHAPTER 13 113 Research and Development THE BIG GOVERNANCE ISSUES IN BOTSWANA: A CIVIL SOCIETY SUBMISSION TO THE APRM 3 Executive Summary Botswana’s civil society APRM Working Group has identified 12 governance issues to be included in this submission: 1 Human Rights The implementation of domestic and international legislation has meant that basic human rights are well protected in Botswana. However, these rights are not enjoyed equally by all. Areas of concern include violence against women and children; discrimination against indigenous peoples; child labour; over reliance on and abuses by the mining sector; respect for diversity and culture; effectiveness of social protection programmes; and access to quality healthcare services. It is recommended that government develop a comprehensive national action plan on human rights that applies to both state and business. 2 Separation of Powers Political and personal interests have made separation between Botswana’s three arms of government difficult. -
African Union Election Observation Mission to the 2019 General Elections in the Republic of Botswana PRELIMINARY STATEMENT 25 October 2019 I
AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE UNIÃO AFRICANA African Union Election Observation Mission to the 2019 General Elections in the Republic of Botswana PRELIMINARY STATEMENT 25 October 2019 I. INTRODUCTION 1. At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Botswana and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat deployed the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to the country’s General Election held on 23 October 2019. The Mission is headed by H.E. Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang, Former Vice President and Minister of Women’s Affairs of the Republic of The Gambia. 2. The AUEOM comprised 30 observers drawn from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), African Ambassadors accredited to the African Union (AU), Election Management Bodies (EMBs), independent electoral and governance experts and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The observers were drawn from 17 AU Member States namely: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Saharawi Republic, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda and Zimbabwe. 3. The AUEOM mandate is to observe the 23 October 2019 General Elections in line with relevant AU instruments, especially (a) the African Union Guidelines for Elections Observation and Monitoring Missions (2002); (b) the OAU/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa (2002); African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (1981) and (c) African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007), among others. The deployment of the AUEOM in the Republic of Botswana demonstrates the AU’s commitment to supporting democratic, credible, inclusive and peaceful electoral processes in its Member States by providing an objective assessment of the process and the political environment within which the elections were conducted. -
2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS REPORT II Keireng A
REPORT TO THE MINISTER FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS, GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ON THE 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS I REPORT Honourable Justice Abednego B. Tafa Mr. John Carr-Hartley Members of CHAIRMAN DEPUTY CHAIRMAN The Independent Electoral Commission Mrs. Agnes Setlhogile Mrs. Shaboyo Motsamai Dr. Molefe Phirinyane COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER Mrs. Martha J. Sayed Vacant COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS REPORT II Keireng A. Zuze Doreen L. Serumula SECRETARY DEPUTY SECRETARY Executive Management of the Secretariat Keolebogile M. Tshitlho Dintle S. Rapoo SENIOR MANAGER MANAGER CORPORATE SERVICES ELECTIONS AFFAIRS & FIELD OPERATIONS Obakeng B. Tlhaodi Uwoga H. Mandiwana CHIEF STATE COUNSEL MANAGER HUMAN RESOURCE & ADMINISTRATION 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS REPORT III Strategic Foundations ........................................................................................................................... I Members of The Independent Electoral Commission ................................................ II Executive Management of the Secretariat........................................................................... III Letter to The Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration ............................................................................................................... 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.................................................................................................................. 2 ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................................... -
Cesifo Working Paper No. 3347 Category 2: Public Choice February 2011
The Importance of the Electoral Rule: Evidence from Italy Massimo Bordignon Andrea Monticini CESIFO WORKING PAPER NO. 3347 CATEGORY 2: PUBLIC CHOICE FEBRUARY 2011 An electronic version of the paper may be downloaded • from the SSRN website: www.SSRN.com • from the RePEc website: www.RePEc.org • from the CESifo website: www.CESifo-group.org/wpT T CESifo Working Paper No. 3347 The Importance of the Electoral Rule: Evidence from Italy Abstract We employ bootstrap methods (Efron (1979)) to test the effect of an important electoral reform implemented in Italy from 1993 to 2001, that moved the system for electing the Par- liament from purely proportional to plurality rule (for 75% of the seats). We do not find any effect on either the number of parties or the stability of governments (the two main objectives of the reform) that remained unchanged at their pre-reform level. JEL-Code: H000. Keywords: electoral system, plurality rule, Duverger’s law, bootstrap. Massimo Bordignon Andrea Monticini Catholic University of Milan Catholic University of Milan Largo Gemelli no. 1 Largo Gemelli no. 1 20123 Milan 20123 Milan Italy Italy [email protected] [email protected] 1 Introduction Among political institutions, the most widely studied is certainly the electoral rule. This reflects the crucial importance that both political scientists and economists assign to the rules governing the ballot box in shaping the characteristics of the political system, the behaviour of voters, the selection of politicians, the policies chosen by governments and finally, the economic outcomes. For instance, among political scientists, Duverger (1954) analysis has spanned an enormous lit- erature attempting to connect the features of the electoral rule with the equilibrium number of parties and candidates (e.g. -
Governance and Elections: Enhancing Local Democracy in Botswana
The African e-Journals Project has digitized full text of articles of eleven social science and humanities journals. This item is from the digital archive maintained by Michigan State University Library. Find more at: http://digital.lib.msu.edu/projects/africanjournals/ Available through a partnership with Scroll down to read the article. Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, Vol.14 No.1 (2000) Governance and elections: enhancing local democracy in Botswana Mogopod; Lekorwe Democracy Research Project University of Botswana Abstract This article discusses the extent to which local government is an institution of choice and voice. It argues that although the Botswana Local government system operates within the multi-party framework, it has severe constraints that limit its effectiveness. One of the major constraints which has been the subject of many government and scholarly documents is the low caliber of local leadership (councillors) as well as the under representation of certain groups in the political system such as women. These issues are highlighted in the paper including some innovations, which may be applied to further strengthen local democracy. The paper begins by examining the conceptual framework within which local democracy operates in Botswana. It then goes into describing that process including some shortcomings. Finally, the paper concludes by advocating some innovations to improve the system. Introduction The objectives of local government are diverse and differ from country to country and from one period to the other within a particular country. Local government as an institution is expected to provide a choice and act as a voice to express the needs and aspirations of the people. -
40 Years of Democracy in Botswana : 1965
40 Years of Democracy in Botswana 1965-2005 EDITED BY ZIBANI MAUNDENI 40 Years of Democracy in Botswana: 1965 - 2005 First Published in 2005 by Mmegi Publishing House, P/Bag Br 298, Gaborone, Botswana ISBN: 99912-526-3-0 © Zibani Maundeni All rights reserved. The copyright of all materials in this publication, except where otherwise stated, remains the property of the author and publisher. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of the publishers or in accordance with the provision of the copyright and neighbouring rights act of 2000. Cover design by: Resolution Layout and design by: Resolution Printed and bound by: Mills Litho, Cape Town, South Africa 40 Years of Democracy in Botswana 1965-2005 EDITED BY ZIBANI MAUNDENI ContentsCONTENTS Acknowledgements . .3 Contributors . .4 Introduction . .6 SECTION ONE Chapter One: Botswana’s democracy in a southern African regional perspective: progress or decline? Patrick Molutsi . .10 Chapter Two: Electoral systems and democracy in Botswana Mpho Molomo . .29 Chapter Three: The organisation of elections and institutional reforms Mogopodi Lekorwe and Onkemetse Tshosa . .50 Chapter Four: Transparency and settling of disputes in the Botswana electoral system David Sebudubudu . .59 SECTION TWO Chapter Five: Succession to high office: Tswana culture and modern Botswana politics Zibani Maundeni . .80 Chapter Six: Voters and electoral performance of political parties in Botswana Mpho Molomo and Wilford Molefe . .94 Chapter Seven: Organisation of political parties Mogopodi Lekorwe . .122 Chapter Eight: Funding of political parties: levelling the political playing field Mpho Molomo and David Sebudubudu . -
Better Choices Voting System Alternatives for Canada
BETTER CHOICES Voting System Alternatives for Canada 1 Written by Mark Coffin Matt Risser Edited by Jesse Hitchcock Research Support by Angela Hersey Marla MacLeod 2 BETTER CHOICES Voting System Alternatives for Canada 3 BETTER CHOICES VOTING SYSTEM ALTERNATIVES FOR CANADA TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 6 I) INTRODUCTION 12 II) CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION 14 III) FIVE VOTING SYSTEM OPTIONS FOR CANADA 16 FIRST-PAST-THE-POST (FPTP) 16 ALTERNATIVE VOTE (AV) 17 PARTY LIST PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION (LIST PR) 21 MIXED MEMBER PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION (MMP) 23 SINGLE TRANSFERABLE VOTE (STV) 29 IV) CRITERIA ASSESSMENTS 34 1) VOTE FAIRNESS and ACCOUNTABILITY 34 2) VOTER PARTICIPATION 39 3) SIMPLICITY 40 4) STRONG PARLIAMENT 42 5) COLLABORATIVE POLITICS 46 6) EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT 49 7) GEOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION 51 8) WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION 55 V) SUMMARY AND NEXT STEPS 58 VI) GLOSSARY 61 Recommended Citation: Coffin, M. & Risser, M. (2016).Better choices: voting system alternatives for Canada. Springtide Collective. Halifax, NS. 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION & CONTEXT - This paper models how five different voting systems could work for Canada, and the impacts those systems could have beyond electoral politics. - The paper is being released at a time when the Government of Canada and Parliament of Canada are actively considering an alternative system to first- past-the-post, and inviting Canadians to contribute to the conversation. - Voting systems are the foundation of our public institutions. These systems determine what Parliament looks like, and influence the quality and brand of executive government, and the quality of laws, government services and programs that affect every Canadian. -
From Votes to Seats: FOUR FAMILIES of ELECTORAL SYSTEMS
From Votes to Seats: FOUR FAMILIES OF ELECTORAL SYSTEMS Prepared by Larry Johnston under the direction of the Ontario Citizens’ Assembly Secretariat TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Chapter 1 Introduction to Electoral Systems . .1 Chapter 2 Plurality Family First Past the Post . .9 Chapter 3 Majority Family Alternative Vote . .17 Two-Round System . .23 Chapter 4 Proportional Representation Family List Proportional Representation . .27 Single Transferable Vote . .36 Chapter 5 Mixed Family Mixed Member Proportional . .41 Parallel . .50 Glossary . .53 DESIGN AND LAYOUT www.citizensassembly.gov.on.ca WWW.PICCADILLY.ON.CA CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO ELECTORAL SYSTEMS and the selection of its leader. ELECTORAL So the significance of the electoral system goes SYSTEM far beyond its immediate function of translating votes into seats. It also affects the party system, Having citizens elect members of the legislature is the nature of the government, and the composition a feature common to all democracies. These elected of the executive (the Cabinet). representatives are responsible for making laws, and for approving the raising and spending of public funds. The electoral system is the way citizens’ Political parties group voters with similar political beliefs so preferences, expressed as votes, are translated they can elect candidates who will promote common policies. into legislative seats. In contemporary democracies, where polling and mass market- Most people who seek election to the legislature ing expertise drive election contests, parties are indispensable do so as candidates of a political party. This means for their ability to gather the resources (human and financial) that turning votes into seats is also a process of distributing the legislative seats among the different needed for a successful campaign.