CIVICUS discusses the opposition’s victory in Botswana’s recent election with Dumiso Gatsha, founder of Success Capital, a local LGBTQI+ grassroots organisation led by young people.

Botswana’s opposition coalition, led by Duma Boko of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), won a historic victory in the 30 October parliamentary election, unseating the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) after 58 years in power. Outgoing President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat and promised a smooth transition, and Boko, a human rights lawyer, was soon sworn in, promising to deliver on campaign promises of higher wages and improved social services.

What were your expectations going into the election?

Before the election, there was a strong sense of frustration with the BDP, the longstanding ruling party, particularly over corruption linked to COVID-19, a flawed constitutional review process and several proposed laws that were perceived to personally benefit the president and vice-president. Public discontent grew as the police met student protests with violence and economic hardship continued with no reduction in government spending. The BDP’s campaign was also marred by disinformation, which further fuelled mistrust.

Many felt disenfranchised and angry. Manipulation of the BDP’s internal elections processes raised concerns about possible rigging of the general election. The refusal of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to publish the voters’ register electronically only added to distrust. Delays in publishing candidates’ manifestos also left voters in the dark about who their candidates were and what policies they supported.

Other worrying developments included the IEC’s ‘benchmarking’ mission to Zimbabwe’s electoral body, allegations of mismanagement and questions about conflicts of interest in relation to large donations from wealthy people. Botswana’s reputation as a peaceful, model democracy may have shielded the BDP from scrutiny in the past, but over time this reputation has been tarnished by a secretive intelligence network and the misuse of state resources, which worsened inequalities in access to education, healthcare and social services.

The election results were unprecedented and shocking, but very welcome. This election saw more extensive voter education and higher turnout than in the past. Its result was a powerful response to years of inequality, injustice, mismanagement and unchecked authority that had left people feeling disconnected from their leaders. It truly reflected the popular will and the real change in governance and accountability we as civil society activists had long hoped for.

How free and fair was the election?

The election was largely free, but not entirely fair. There were a record number of independent candidates, but they received no funding, support or training. As an independent candidate without the backing or resources of a political party, I experienced these challenges first-hand.

Election observer missions didn’t have enough people to cover all polling stations, and neither did some candidates. Polling agents were seen taking breaks outside voting premises, which could easily provide opportunities for manipulation and bribery.

There were irregularities. For instance, some candidates’ logos were missing, which may have confused voters. Longstanding practices such as vote buying and trafficking were widespread. A former cabinet member was recorded illegally soliciting votes in a queue.

There was also evidence of top-down disinformation, with President Masisi spreading inaccuracies or lies that frustrated many people, who typically respect authority. But for the first time, and thanks to social media, people were able to fact-check these statements, discuss them with family and friends and openly question Masisi’s statements.

What role did civil society play?

Civil society wasn’t as active as it could have been, although one local group managed to observe around a third of polling stations. While there were more policy debates than in the past, these were exclusive to civil society with resources, potentially leaving out rural, underserved, under-resourced and excluded communities that are supported by grassroots organisations.

While the opposition made historic gains, the problems in the voting process require immediate attention. Civil society must hold the IEC accountable for implementing its recommendations to ensure fairer elections in the future.

Stronger regulations and non-partisan voter education and awareness campaigns are needed to combat disinformation, particularly during elections.

What explains the high turnout?

The high voter turnout cannot be attributed to any single factor. A combination of elements led to over 80 per cent of the electorate turning out to vote.

This election came at a time when many people were disillusioned with the state of the country. Leaked documents revealing government wrongdoing added to public frustration and a desire for change. There was a growing sense that the country could no longer tolerate unethical practices and weak leadership.

Social media played an important role in exposing corruption and reminding people of the hardships they had experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also helped voters overcome some of the challenges of the election: people shared tips on how to deal with long queues, avoid splitting the opposition vote and mobilising others to vote. Such community engagement was unprecedented.

Even though some media outlets are funded by the ruling party, overall coverage improved, helping keep the public informed. Recent election results in neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe also played a key role in raising awareness of the high stakes and the power of the vote, with the opposition’s anti-fraud measures also helping boost voter confidence.

How has the election changed the political landscape?

This election has reshaped Botswana’s political landscape, showing people the strength of their collective voice when they refuse to serve the interests of a few. But only time will tell the full extent of this election’s impact. Now that the former opposition has become the ruling party, the key test will be whether young people, women and excluded groups find it easier to enter politics and get elected.

A healthy political future means more choice at the ballot box and more opportunities for people’s voices to be heard. Civic participation is growing, and as it grows stronger, I hope we will see the emergence of a more inclusive and representative democracy.