5 September 2008
editorial
The supplementary registration, which was conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) over the past two weeks, ended on Sunday. Reports filtering in are that the registration was not a huge success. According to IEC, the target was to register 300, 000 people.
After all the reconciliation had been done it appears the number of those who registered fell short of the target. Only about 216, 189 voters registered in the just-ended supplementary registration. This is not encouraging considering that even in the first general registration the numbers fell far short of the target.
In the general registration, the target was 650, 000 while only 350, 000 people registered.
This must obviously be a concern not only to IEC but to everyone who wants to see a vibrant democracy in Botswana. It is very easy to point an accusing finger at voters when an opportunity has been presented to them to register, but they do not appear to be forthcoming to claim what is their constitutional right. Of course, there are people who do not seem willing to exercise their fundamental right to vote. Much publicity has been given to the registration exercise, but there are some that choose not to participate because they do not believe in the electoral process. We can only hope that after sustained publicity these people will eventually see the value of elections and the power of their vote.
However, the nation should be more concerned about the many that could participate in the process, but are not coming forward. Political parties and our political processes cannot escape the blame either. Elections are about a contest and the stronger the contest the more interest it generates. As it is, the political contest between political parties is loop sided. In many constituencies and wards, the ruling party is always guaranteed victory. As a result of this one-sided affair, many of the ruling party supporters might decide not to participate in the process because they know the outcome anyway. Those who sympathise with opposition parties always see themselves participating, while some might not have the necessary stamina to partake in a humbling process. Independents on the other hand might not see the need to participate in a farce. But the opposition too, should get the share of the blame. They are weak and hopelessly fragmented to pose any threat to the ruling party - and this alienates a lot of people. The official opposition is embroiled in scuffles that seem to know no end. This is a major disincentive. The ruling party, too, needs to reform its highly controversial Bulela Di Tswe, which clearly polarises its members. The IEC, too, should introspect and see whether its ways of attracting voters cater for all-voter profile.
In this day and age it should be easy for the young and those who enjoy access to the Internet to go online and register. At the same time, the IEC should target major transit areas to try and register as many people as possible.
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