Given the overwhelmingly representative nature of democracy in the world today, the political parties that contest elections to win seats in legislative assemblies are of course absolutely essential for the democratic process.
While Members of Parliament (MPs) win personal mandates from electoral constituencies in countries like Botswana and Zambia, these nevertheless co-ordinate their parliamentary work under direction from their respective political parties.
Under the alternative electoral system, where voters can only vote for parties and not individual MPs, as in South Africa and Namibia, the parties are all the more important for the electoral process and the legislative work in parliament.
Where the HIV/AIDS epidemic undermines parties’ capacity to campaign in elections and to effectively represent its voters during parliamentary sessions – through the loss of leaders, MPs and active members to AIDS-related illnesses and death – parties will be less representative of the electorate and less effective in shaping legislation in accordance with the mandate they have been given by their voters (HIV/AIDS and Democratic Governance in South Africa - Illustrating the Impact on Electoral Processes, 2004: 29).
Additionally, HIV/AIDS has put some strain on party structures by creating an increased need to replace cadres who have succumbed to illness or who have died. Although no severe functional defects have arisen in party structures, the loss of seniority and experience nevertheless is reported to have reduced parties’ capacities and ‘intellectual memory’ somewhat. (ibid.: 17f).
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