Ian Khama Raises Concerns Over Potential Electoral Manipulation in Botswana

Former President Ian Khama has alleged that the Botswana government, led by President Mokgweetsi Masisi, may manipulate the upcoming elections by allowing Zimbabweans to vote. This claim is associated with Masisi’s advocacy for using ID cards for travel between Botswana and Zimbabwe, which Khama argues could undermine election integrity. Khama referenced recent voting practices in Mozambique as a worrying precedent for Botswana’s electoral system.

Former President Ian Khama has expressed serious allegations regarding the potential manipulation of the forthcoming general elections in Botswana. During the launch of Modiri Jojo Lucas as a parliamentary candidate for the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) in Francistown South, Khama cautioned against the possibility of Zimbabweans being allowed to vote in Botswana. According to Khama, President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s recent support for the use of national Identity Cards (IDs) for travel between Zimbabwe and Botswana raises significant concerns about election integrity. “Early this year, Masisi advocated for use of IDs between the borders of these two countries,” Khama stated, emphasizing the implications of this move on the electoral process. Khama criticized Masisi for his readiness to establish this arrangement without sufficient consultation with parliamentary members who expressed apprehension. He specifically noted, “Why was he eager to bring an arrangement that he made only with his Zimbabwean counterpart, President Emerson Mnangagwa? It is so disturbing for Masisi to bring about something like that without consultation.” Furthermore, Khama drew parallels to recent events in Mozambique where Zimbabweans, including journalists, managed to vote, suggesting a similar occurrence could happen in Botswana to support the ruling party. This admonition follows a report from the Zimbabwean publication, The Mirror Masvingo, which documented how Zimbabweans successfully participated in Mozambique’s general elections without facing obstacles. In contrast, during the Kusi Ideas Festival in Zimbabwe, President Masisi proposed a framework for utilizing IDs for cross-border travel, asserting that he and President Mnangagwa had tentatively agreed to this arrangement, pending further consultations with relevant stakeholders. The debate about this issue escalated earlier this year in the Botswanan Parliament, where Masisi criticized opposing MPs, categorizing their resistance as xenophobic.

The context of this article revolves around the political climate in Botswana, particularly the upcoming general elections and the integrity of the voting process. Ian Khama, a former president of Botswana, has raised alarms about the potential influence of foreign nationals, specifically Zimbabweans, in the electoral system. The concerns stem from recent proposals by the current President Mokgweetsi Masisi regarding the use of ID cards for cross-border travel between Botswana and Zimbabwe, which critics argue could facilitate electoral manipulation. This issue has gained relevance following reports of Zimbabweans participating in elections in Mozambique, raising fears that a similar situation could occur in Botswana. The backdrop includes a trend of increasing scrutiny regarding voter eligibility and concerns over the influence of neighboring countries on Botswana’s democratic processes.

In summary, Ian Khama’s allegations highlight a critical concern about the integrity of the democratic process in Botswana, especially regarding potential foreign influence in the upcoming elections. The introduction of ID cards for Border travel, as supported by President Masisi, raises alarms among opposition members about the risk of electoral fraud. Khama’s remarks, coupled with recent events in Mozambique, have intensified scrutiny of the policies affecting voting rights and national security in Botswana, necessitating careful consideration and consultation to ensure a fair electoral process.

Original Source: bulawayo24.com