Role of Opposition Parties in Ensuring Democracy: Case Study Botswana

Wendell l. Willkie's statement that “A vital element in the balanced operation of democracy is a strong, alert and watchful opposition” und[1]erscores the importance of robust opposition parties for a healthy functioning democracy. The Botswana government is always paraded as an example of shinning democracy in a continent fraught with wars and corruption - Africa. Needless to say, much of the time this is largely attributed to the current ruling party for ensuring and adhering to democratic principles. Although the attribution is with merit, the opposition parties also play a major role. The opposition has rights and roles to fulfil, they have a duty to the citizens to offer them an alternative to the ruling party. If opposition parties fail to stand up to the ruling party, the people are left with no hope and the ruling party can do whatever it wants and with impunity. Fortunately in Botswana the opposition understands well that without their input, democracy is at stake.

Botswana holds elections in every 5 years. Due to the 'First Past the Post' system used in Botswana, the party that has majority seats in parliament assumes the post of the ruling party and the party with the second highest majority of seats becomes the official opposition in parliament. The leader of the opposition comes from the official opposition party. It is the leader of the opposition who marshals his fellow opposition troops against the ruling party. Botswana as a democratic country gives special recognition to the leader of opposition. The leader of the opposition is given special treatment more than ordinary members of parliament, and he commands authority. It is the leader of opposition that responds to the state of the nation address before any member of parliament. The leader of the opposition effects the rights and responsibilities of opposition parties by taking to task the ruling party.

At the heart of democracy lies freedom of expression - that is dissent and debate. It...