Election campaign financing in Botswana: a case for comprehensive regulation for fairness and to avert illicit financial flows

Abstract

ABSTRACT Election campaign and political activity financing are scantily regulated in Botswana. This may provide an opportunity for threats to national security as business interests may exert overt influence on politicians and illicit financial flows may bloom. Currently, there is no credible way of knowing who provides what financing to whom since no one is really compelled to disclose such information before a writ is issued. Even after a writ, parties and candidates simply do not declare in accordance with the limited statutory requirement. The paper notes foreign funding of major political parties in Botswana. It then argues argues for reforms that will include banning of funding by organisations involved in crime, introduction of funding thresholds, controls to ensure that funds donated for purposes of campaign finances are used strictly for that, the setting up of a statutory body to ensure compliance as well as sanctions for non-compliance.