BDP unfazed by vote of no confidence

Besides military coups, motions of no confidence has been used worldwide between elections to effect a change of government. Since independence, opposition parties in Botswana have passed a number of motions of no confidence on the ruling Botswana Democratic Party ( BDP) government albeit without success due to the ruling party’s numerical superiority.

The Leader of Opposition Dumelang Saleshando, who is also Botswana Congress Party ( BCP) President and Vice President of the opposition coalition, Umbrella for Democratic Change ( UDC) intends to move a Motion of No Confidence in the November parliament.

But what are the prospects for the success of such a Motion?

At present, the BDP has 40 elected MPs, the President himself, and six non- elected MPs. In contrast, the combined opposition has around 18 elected MPs. University of Botswana ( UB) academic, Adam Mfundisi explains that constitutionally, only elected MPs are eligible to vote in the No Vote of Confidence Motion. A two- thirds ( 2/ 3) majority of elected MPs is required for the motion to succeed.

“The opposition will need 21 or more BDP MPs to support the motion”, added Mfundisi, according to whose calculation, is practically a tall order.

But nothing is assured. According to Mfundisi, public confidence and trust in government and the leadership of President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi have plummeted to their lowest levels since the 2019 general elections.

“During the election campaigns, the President promised a wide range of policy proposals which he has failed to fulfill to date. He has introduced a wide range of public policies that are unpopular.

“Covid- 19 pandemic has exposed his political and communication skills. Strategic political leadership has been lacking in the fight against the pandemic. Corruption and mismanagement of financial resources have increased in the Masisi- regime. “He has been found to be wanting in terms of ethical and accountability management,” observed the political expert, whose view is that exemplary and empathetic leadership have not been the domain of President Dr. Masisi.

According to Mfundisi, MPs across the political divide are not happy about the leadership of Dr. Masisi since assuming the highest political office. It is Mfundisi’s view that the stakes are high in this motion or vote of no confidence.

‘’ The perceived rift between the President and the party secretary- general, Mpho Balopi is sending shockwaves in the corridors of the ruling party. There are also allegations that their bad blood has spilled to the Cabinet.

“A different ball game this time around may not be predictable. If the vote is conducted by secret processes, we may see the extent of the political division within the BDP,” the political scientist noted, adding that a motion of no confidence, by convention, is a symbolic gesture to check the prevailing political temperature in parliament and beyond.

According to Prof Zibani Maundeni, a vote of no confidence is an opportunity for its movers to comprehensively spell out the weaknesses of the ruling party for the voter to have a better appreciation of the options they have.

He added that the motion may succeed if the BDP does not forego its internal divisions.

“Although unlikely, the motion may go through if the fallout within the BDP is deep enough for some of its members to be prepared to sacrifice their party by voting with the UDC”.

However, because a motion of no confidence requires the resignation of the sitting government, even disgruntled ruling party MPs may not want to support the motion due to the fear of losing if fresh elections are called.

This view is shared by BDP spokesperson Kagelelo Kentse, who dismisses the no- confidence motion to be tabled by the opposition this November, as “a complete waste of time” and not a source of concern for the party.

In fact, he said it is nothing else but political grandstanding on the part of the opposition UDC because their chances of success are non- existent.

“We have the numbers and no BDP MP will vote with the UDC. Besides, which BDP MP would like to risk their seat by doing that because, should the motion go through, parliament will be dissolved and an early election will be called and there is no guarantee that they will retain their seats,” Kentse said.

The opposition mover and his fellow MPs aim to dent the character of the President in the eyes of the public. They would want to ventilate the President’s personal character and behaviour, proprieties as the head of government, serious misdemeanours such as rampant corruption and maladministration.

They also aim to expose the BDP MPs’ lack of conscience regarding their representative roles. The President and the BDP will be in the dock. Opposition MPs want to have an opportunity to expose the corruption, maladministration, and deficiencies in the containment, control, and mitigation of the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic.

A veteran politician who served as Member of Parliament ( MP), Cabinet Minster before becoming Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Margaret Nasha notes that motions of no confidence have been made on her former party, the BDP, several times.

“The opposition has passed several such motions over the years. However, none of them have been successful because the BDP has always had the numbers.

“BDP MPs always vote together even if they hold different positions on the matter on the table,” said Dr. Margaret Nasha, who added that motions of no confidence are not necessarily about removing the ruling party.

“What is important even if the ruling party retains power, is that the movers of the motion will have put issues across to the nation and that could pay dividends in the long run”, said Dr. Nasha.

Another veteran politician and former MP, Nehemiah Modubule, says a vote of no confidence is intended to expose the ruling party shortfalls as well as censure it for its omissions.

According to Mfundisi, parliamentary systems of government allow for MPs to exercise their constitutional powers to oversight the Executive branch of government. The Constitution of Botswana allows for MPs to present to Parliament motions for the good governance of Botswana.

“An example of those is the vote of no confidence on the Executive, the President. This is in part in pursuance of separation of powers and the power of the legislative branch to check and balance the powers of the executive,” said the University of Botswana academic. He noted that the President of Botswana serves at the pleasure of Parliament. “At all material times, he must enjoy the tacit support of majority MPs in Parliament. This motion is crucial because it expresses censure of or lack of confidence in the President.

“Loss of confidence requires the President to leave office, or he may dissolve Parliament and fresh elections are conducted. Should the President feel threatened because he perceives BDP MPs have a potential to gang up against him, he may involve a Constitutional provision that empowers him to dissolve Parliament”, Mfundisi said.

He added that the motion of no confidence is important both to parliament and the public as it ensures that the President and his Cabinet operate within the confines of the Constitution.

For all intents and purposes, a vote of no confidence is a tool for parliamentary oversight. “Any transgressions must be censured by Parliament,” added Mfundisi noting that the vote of no confidence comes at a time when the BDP is rocked by divisions.