This paper examines the extent and nature of electoral participation in general and that of youth in particular and attempts an explanation. It draws on reports from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and its predecessor, the Elections Office, and on opinion surveys carried out by the Democracy Research Project of the University of Botswana (DRP). […]
The paper argues that the failure of opposition parties to oust the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from its firm grip on power has a great deal to do with a weak opposition leadership. Following the famous opposition victory in the Gaborone West North parliamentary by-election of 2005, where, for the first time, a united […]
The paper analyses the freeness and fairness of Botswana’s 2004 elections. It argues that although Botswana’s multiparty democracy has lasted longer than any other in Africa its elections are free but not very fair. The fairness of Botswana’s elections has been an issue of controversy that has led to calls from the opposition for political […]
