ELECTION UPDATE 2004 BOTSWANA number 3 17 January 2005 contents Introduction 1 Free and Fair Elections 2 How the International Press Saw the October Poll 2 New Cabinet 3 Botswana Election Audit 4 Election Results 7 Opposition Party Unity in the Making 16 Parliament Adjourns 18 References 19 Compiled by Sechele Sechele EISA Editorial Team Jackie Kalley, Khabele Matlosa, Denis Kadima Published with the assistance of NORAD and OSISA Introduction executive secretary of the Section 65A of the Constitution Independent Electoral of Botswana in 1997 (see Botswana has now been Commission of Botswana Constitution Amendment Act independent for more than 38 (IEC), Mr Gabriel Seeletso. No.18 of 1997); which also years, with one party at the provides for the composition of helm – the Botswana In an interview in his office and the Commission. Democratic Party (BDP). a week after having a week- Elections are held every five long meeting with the The Commission consists of a years in this land-locked, Independent Electoral chairperson (Justice Judge diamond-rich and peaceful state Commission of Botswana; John. Mosojane), deputy and they are always declared Seeletso has expressed chairman (Private Attorney free and fair. The 30 October complete satisfaction with the Omphemetsee Motumisi), and 2004 general elections in performance of his staff and the five other members appointed Botswana were no exception. Commission in correctly and by the Judicial Service competently conducting the Commission from a list of For purposes of this update on 2004 general elections. persons recommended by the the aftermath of the elections, The Independent Electoral All Party Conference. we start by speaking to the Commission was established by election update 2004 Botsw ana number 3 As stipulated in Section 65A, • to ensure that elections are seats in a general election. the chairperson of the conducted efficiently, Sworn back into office with the Commission is a judge of the properly, freely and fairly. endorsement of MPs, the High Court and the deputy • to give instructions and country's president, Festus chairperson, a legal directives to the Secretary Mogae, will keep his job until practitioner. Both chairperson of the Commission in 2008. He has promised, again, and the deputy chairperson are regard to the exercise of his to fight poverty and Botswana's appointed by the Judicial functions under the worst scourge, AIDS... - The Service Commission. Constitution and Electoral Economist (UK) Laws generally Botswana has just held its Section 66 of the Constitution • to perform such other elections that, as expected, provides for the appointment of functions as Parliament were won in a landslide by the the Secretary of the may by law prescribe. ruling Botswana Democratic Independent Electoral The Commission stands Party, which has reigned in the Commission who shall be the dissolved at the last dissolution diamond-rich country since Chief Executive Officer. The of every two successive lives of independence in 1966. The poll Secretary is appointed by the Parliament or ten years. has been declared free and fair. President and responsible for: After the results were made • management and Free and Fair Elections administration of the known, there were no rumblings of discontent, no Commission Missions directly and indirectly marching in the streets by • implementation of the representing the disgruntled voters, no burning decisions of the Commonwealth, EISA, the Commission of effigies, no calls for a European Parliament, the recount, and no threats of a • supervision of the European Union, and the coup d'etat. In other words, it registration of voters Southern African Development was mature democracy at work. • conduct of Presidential and Community (SADC) - The Star (South Africa) National Assembly Parliamentary Forum presented elections their preliminary findings soon The U.S. is unable to do what • conduct of elections to after the October 30 poll. countries like Botswana, a local authorities, namely; All of them applauded the southern African nation of 1.6 councils. professionalism of polling million people, are capable of station staff, a secure and doing: delivering election The Secretary is assisted by transparent voting process, results within a day. 'Americans such staff as the Commission although some of them and the rest of us will be may appoint. The Commission commented negatively on the surprised that a country that is an autonomous, non-partisan balanced coverage of election sent a man to the moon 30 body whose primary purpose is campaigns in the public media years ago can't give us the to conduct free, fair and correct and the fact that the winner- results of an election on the elections efficiently and take-all or first past the post same day,' said Klas Eklund, effectively in accordance with electoral system used in chief economist at SEB AB, the the best electoral principles and Botswana tends to favour the third-biggest Nordic bank by practices. Section 65A of the ruling party over the opposition assets in Stockholm and a Constitution of Botswana also political parties. former adviser to the Swedish defines the functions of the government. On Oct. 30, the Commission as follows: How the International ruling party in Botswana was • to conduct and supervise Press Saw the October Poll re-elected, winning 44 out of 57 elections of the elected parliamentary seats in a members of the National Africa's longest-running multi- country where average income Assembly and members of party democracy notched up is less than 10 percent of the a Local Authority. another success last week when U.S. • to conduct a Referendum Botswana's voters gave the The opposition accepted the ruling Botswana Democratic results that evening. Observers Party 44 of parliament's 57 at the Stockholm- based 2 election update 2004 Botsw ana number 3 International Institute for Congress Party and Dick The new Cabinet was named Democracy and Electoral Bayford, who leads the newly the following week, so that the Assistance [IDEA] said the founded New Democratic Executive and Legislatives election was fair... 'There are Front. branches of government could, three basic good practices for without delay, move an election: a national system According to Section 32 of the collectively forward in of voting, clear rules that are Botswana Constitution, the fulfilling their public mandates. decided in advance, and an Chief Justice should declare honest broker to decide one of the four presidential New Cabinet disputes,' said Therese Pearce candidates the winner as soon Laanela, senior program as his party wins more than half On the morning of 9 November officer at IDEA, who has of the 57 seats available in 2004, President Mogae advised governments in 14 Parliament. Four of the seats announced his new Cabinet, nations on how to set up an are Constitutionally provided with the exception of the new electoral system. 'Botswana for as specially elected by Assistant Minister of Finance, follows them. What's so Parliament after it seats for the who was only sworn in on 11 surprising is that the U.S. still first time. November. The final and full doesn't. - Bloomberg (USA) membership of the new Cabinet Parliamentarians met early in is therefore: Election Results and New November to specially elect Government four additional Members. Minister of Finance and During the voting, the Development Planning Final election returns confirmed President's nominees - Mrs. Mr. Baledzi Gaolathe with Mr. that the ruling Botswana Duncan Mlazie as Assistant Minister. Moggie Mbaakanyi, Mrs. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Democratic Party (BDP) had Margaret Nasha, Prof. Sheila International Cooperation won 44 seats, the opposition Tlou, and Mr. Botsalo Ntuane - Lt. Gen. Mompati Merafhe Botswana National Front were all elected with the firm Minister of Environment, Wildlife (BNF) 12 seats, with one seat and Tourism support of the BDP Mr. Onkokame Kitso Mokaila going to the opposition Parliamentary Caucus. Minister of Communications, Botswana Congress Party Science and Technology (BCP). Mrs. Pelonomi Venson Anticipated highlights during Minister of Presidential Affairs and Mogae was declared President- the following week included Public Administration elect by the returning officer of the convening of the First Mr. Phandu T.C. Skelemani Minister of Trade and Industry the presidential elections, Chief Session of the Ninth Parliament, whose immediate Mr. Daniel Neo Moroka Justice Julian Nganunu, just Minister of Minerals Resources and before midnight on Sunday 31 business included the swearing Water Affairs October and after his party in of new members, election of Mr. Mbiganyi Charles Tibone assured him of a presidential a new Speaker, endorsement of Minister of Lands and Housing the President's nominee for Mr. Ramadeluka Dikgakgamatso victory by polling more than 50 Seretse percent of the parliamentary Vice President, (once more, Lt. Minister of Local Government vote by that time. General Seretse Khama Ian Dr. Margaret Nasha with Mr. Ambrose Khama), and the President's Masalila as Assistant Minister The other presidential delivery of the state of the Minister of Education nation address. Mr. Jacob Nkate with Mrs. Moggie candidates, who themselves Mbaakanyi as Assistant Minister performed dismally in their Minister of Health own parliamentary seats, were In his address, President Mogae Prof. Sheila Tlou Botswana National Front leader called on the newly elected Minister of Works and Transport Otsweletse Moupo (whose Mrs. Lesego Motsumi with Mr. Frank political leadership to seriously J. Ramsden as Assistant Minister party went to the polls under an take up its responsibility of Minister of Labour and Home electoral pact with the meeting the public's Affairs Botswana Alliance Movement expectations with reference to Maj. Gen. Moeng R. Pheto with Mr. and the Botswana People's the major challenges facing the Olifant Mfa as Assistant Minister Minister of Agriculture Party), Otlaadisa Koosaletse nation. Mr. Jonnie Keemenao Swartz with Mr. and leader of the Botswana Peter L.