BCP 2014 Manifesto Draft Final

7. Ensuring Good
Governance
7.1 Situational analysis
Botswana’s democracy is underdeveloped. The constitution has not been reviewed
since independence and has not entrenched economic, social and cultural rights.
Parliament lacks independence and is virtually under the office of the President. The
appointment of key personnel to institutions of democracy and the judiciary remains
shrouded in absolute secrecy and is primarily decided by the executive.
The election process is presided over by the government of the day and the
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is not truly independent. The security
sector, especially the Directorate of Intelligence Services and Security (DISS),
is personalised and serves the interests of the presidency with no oversight or
accountability. Fundamental laws required to ensure good governance such as
Freedom of Information, Disclosure of Assets and Liabilities, Protection of Whistle
Blowers, Conflict of Interest and Insider Trading are not in place. The absence of
these laws has made it difficult to convict ministers and other officials suspected of
corruption.
7.2 Our Social Contract on Governance
The BCP believes in an ethical, accountable and transparent government that
promotes participatory democracy and collective decision making. In this regard,
we shall do the following;
Reclaiming our Civil Liberties
The BCP Shall:
• Set up a Constitutional Review Commission headed by a judge to look into possible
amendments of the constitution including the bill of rights to include soio-econmic
and cultural rights, the right to a clean environment, reduction of powers of the
President and qualifying the immunities given to a sitting President.
• Guarantee press freedom in the constitution and forbidding Parliament from
passing any law that restricts press freedom.
• Transform state broadcasters such as Radio Botswana and Botswana Television
READY TO LEAD
BCP 2014-2019 MANIFESTO
27