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Introduction.

Botswana's politics have been dominated by a single party - the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), since gaining independence from Britain in 1966. The country held its first election in 1965 and, ever since, the BDP has consistently received a majority of the vote. Opposition parties contest elections, but realistically have little chance of gaining enough support to topple the BDP and achieve power due to the first-past-the-post electoral system. There is, however, gradual growing opposition to the BDP's dominance as, according to electoral trends, the party's electoral support is on the decline. The last National Assembly election saw the BDP receive 51,73% of the vote, its lowest figure since independence, despite its majority. Furthermore, there is growing sentiment in Botswana that opposition party support is on the rise.

In the upcoming election scheduled for October 16, 2009, the BDP is using President Ian Khama as its draw card to increase its popularity through the President's personal popularity. Through this strategy the BDP hopes to hang onto its overall majority. Opposition parties have subsequently called for electoral reform, as many of them have criticised the "winner takes all" system modelled on British politics, on the grounds that it compromises democracy and does not accurately reflect the sentiment of the electorate.

In order to safeguard against unfairness in campaigning, politicians participating in the upcoming election from the different political parties, participated in a workshop organised by Botswana's Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the capital Gabarone, in January this year. During the workshop participants unanimously accepted a draft code of conduct that stipulates how they are expected to conduct themselves throughout the campaigning and election period. The code of conduct basically entails that intimidation in any form will not be permitted and no weapons will be allowed at public rallies, marches or political meetings. In addition, rallies must be held at least 500 m away from each other. The signing of the draft agreement is testament to the respective political parties' commitment to ensuring a nonviolent, free and fair election in the country.

The Electoral System

With the first past-the-post, or winner takes all electoral system, the single winner is the party with the most votes; an absolute majority is therefore not required. Under this system, Botswana elects a legislative assembly, or single constituency parliament, at a national level. The President is elected by parliament for a five-year term. In this way the electorate does not vote for an individual president but rather for a political party that would gain the majority of seats in Parliament. The party with the majority of seats in Parliament elects the President and forms the government.

Botswana has adopted a bicameral parliamentary system with a lower chamber (National Assembly) and an upper chamber (House of Chiefs). The National Assembly contains 63 seats in which 57 members are elected by direct popular vote in single member constituencies, four members are appointed by the majority party and two (being the President and Attorney-General) are ex-officio members. The members in this chamber of parliament serve a five-year term.

The House of Chiefs contains 15 seats and is generally considered an advisory body. Out of the chamber's 15 members, eight are permanent chiefs derived from Botswana's eight principal tribes, four are indirectly elected subchiefs and the remaining three members are selected by the other 12 members. The seven nonpermanent members serve five-year terms.

Election focal points

The issues around which the election will be contested by the respective parties will be focused predominantly on the economy and the fight against HIV/Aids. With the global economy in crisis, Botswana too has felt the pinch with foreign investment drying up as well as the global demand for the country's minerals waning. Subsequently the issues of poverty alleviation and job creation have become central to many of the parties' campaign strategies and could be vital in determining the outcome of the upcoming election.

Botswana has one of the highest HIV/Aids infection rates in the world. With an increasing infection rate, the virus has also become a national priority and therefore critical to parties' campaign strategies. Many of the parties have provided comprehensive plans to combat the disease and involve an overhaul of the healthcare system.

The economic crisis and HIV/Aids may be two of the more prominent issues facing the country prior to the election. There are, however, other challenges facing the country, such as education and climate change among others.

Political Parties.

Botswana Democratic Party

The current ruling party, the BDP is generally considered to be largely conservative. Over the years the party has received international praise for it's overall commitment to democracy and good governance. President Khama rests his leadership on four fundamental principals (or the four Ds) being: democracy, development, dignity and discipline. The party is generally known for its transparent leadership, as well as its focus on policies encouraging the country to be economically self-sufficient.

More recently, however, the party has become factionalised between the Barata-Phati, (led by Ponatshego Kedikilwe and former secretary-general Daniel Kwelagobe), and the dominant faction, which calls itself the A-team (led by cabinet ministers Jacob Nkate and Mompati Merafhe). The A-team is currently the faction that holds power and includes current President Ian Khama.

Botswana National Front

The main opposition party to the BDP, The Botswana National Front (BNF), adopts policies that lean more to the left of Botswana's political spectrum. The party generally follows and advocates social democracy. In recent times the party has experienced a number of internal ideological conflicts that have led to a number of smaller breakaway parties, most notably the Botswana Congress Party in 1998. Both parties, however, still share similar ideological beliefs. The BNF is using the slogan "Time for Change" as a strategy to gain electoral support and make inroads into the BDP's majority. Party leader Otsweletse Moupo emphasises the need for the poor to escape poverty and, subsequently, is seen as the party of the poor.

With Botswana increasingly feeling the pinch of the global economic crisis, the BNF may seem an attractive alternative to the BDP due to it's pro-poor economic policies.

Botswana Congress Party

The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) was formed in 1998, through an ideological split from the BNF. It is regarded as the fastest growing political party in Botswana and stands for social democratic principles. The party is generally popular due to its transparent policies. The BCP's economic goal is to promote sustainable economic development and create jobs. They argue that the economy under the BDP is too focused on the diamond industry, which has bought a substantial amount of wealth into the country without necessarily creating an adequate amount of jobs. The BCP calls for the diversification of the economy with particular focus on agriculture, as well as attracting foreign investment. It is the party's emphasis on job creation that may appeal to the electorate as a viable alternative to the BDP.

Other parties.

Other parties contesting the 2009 National Assembly election include:

• MELS Movement Botswana
• Botswana Alliance Movement
• Botswana Peoples Party
• Botswana Workers Front
• National Democratic Front
• Botswana Labour Party
• Botswana Progressive Union
• Social Democratic Party
• United Socialist Party
• Botswana Tlhoko Tiro Organisation

Main Sources

African Elections Database - Elections in Botswana (October 1, 2009)

Botswana Congress Party - Policies: Economy/Jobs (October 8, 2009)
Botswana Congress Party - Policies: HIV/Aids (October 8, 2009)
Electoral Institute of Southern Africa - Botswana: Electoral system (October 1, 2009)
International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Election Guide - Election Profile for Botswana (October 1, 2009).
International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Election Guide - Election Profile for Botswana - Results (October 1, 2009).
Independent Electoral Commission - Political Parties (September 29, 2009).
Independent Electoral Commission - 2009 General Elections Time Table (September 28, 2009).
Independent Electoral Commission - 2009 Certified Election Roll (September 29, 2009).
Independent Electoral Commission - Elections (September 28, 2009)
Independent Electoral Commission - News (September 29, 2009)
The Free Library - Will Power ever change? (September 29, 2009).