Africa-Press – Botswana. General elections are a momentous occasion for the country to light its lamp and demonstrate to the region and the world its long-standing tradition as a beacon of a mature democracy, good governance and the rule of law by conducting free, fair, peaceful and credible elections.
The sentiments were expressed by Chief Justice Terrence Rannowane at the opening of the Legal Year of the High Court in Gaborone on Monday.
Mr Rannowane, therefore, urged political parties to set up strong internal dispute resolution structures to obviate the need to rely on the courts to do so for them.
“History has shown that no matter how objective and impartial the courts are in adjudicating over political cases, there are always accusations of bias levelled against courts,” he said.
He termed 2024 as a watershed year for the country given the upcoming general elections for the Office of the President, Members of Parliament and councillors. In that regard, he implored the public to demonstrate their democratic rights by voting in the coming general elections.
He said in terms of Sections 32 and 38 of the Constitution of Botswana as read with Section 2 of the Presidential Elections Act (Cap 02:01), the Chief Justice was the returning officer for purposes of nominations of candidates to the High Office of the President of Botswana.
As it is the custom, Justice Rannowane said the process would be conducted at the Gaborone High Court premises. “I plead with our political leaders and the citizenry to exhibit tolerance, mutual respect, patience and Botho so that the nominations proceed smoothly,” he said.
Delivering her maiden speech at the Legal Year, Attorney General Mmako Abram said it was opportune to mention some notable judgments, which reached the apex court for final determination in 2023, wherein the Attorney General was cited as a party Ms Abram said the recently decided voter registration case, which raised the question of whether political parties had a right to monitor and observe the electoral registration process was worth mentioning, as it had a direct bearing on the conduct of the forth coming elections.
She said the Court of Appeal, as the final adjudicator in the matter, in its judgment delivered on December 19, 2023 held that there was no justiciable right conferred on political parties to monitor and observe the electoral registration process either expressly or impliedly by either the Constitution or the Electoral Act.
Following the Court of Appeal decision, Ms Abram said the Independent Electoral Commission commenced the just-ended registration process for the coming general elections.
“I hope that we all managed to register,” she said.
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