09 Mar 2016

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) budget for the 2016/17 financial year amounting to P70.5 million was approved by Parliament on Tuesday.

The budget proposed by Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Dikgang Makgalemele, entailed P55.7 million recurrent estimates and P14, 9million development estimates.

Mr Makgalemele said P11.7 million from the development budget will be spent on construction of IEC offices in Tutume, while P1.5 million will be used for electronic voting machines benchmarking.

Mr Makgalemele briefed parliament that his ministry was in the process of drafting an amendment of the Electoral Act after consultations made after the 2014 general elections recommended such.

He also stated the commission was reviewing polling stations.

“The outcome of the review is intended to improve electoral service delivery in preparation for the 2019 general elections,” he said. He also said the commission has continued to enhance youth participation in electoral processes by mobilising out of school youth through youth ambassadors. 

He said the commission will develop an election education centre in Palapye.

“A roadmap for the 2019 general elections has been drawn through the development of the 2015-2019 strategic plan with the primary intention of minimising challenges experienced in the eleventh electoral cycle. The main focus of the current strategic plan includes increasing citizen participation, promoting research and knowledge management as well as enhancing electoral processes,” Mr Makgalemele said.

Debating the budget, the MP of Francistown East Mr Buti Billy asked government to consider funding political parties, arguing that the move will strengthen democracy.

He also said the Independent Electoral Commission should introduce e-registration to make it easier for people to register for elections. Further, the MP asked for increase of the budget for by-elections and a deliberate strategy by IEC to combat voter trafficking.

Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi called for the IEC to be removed from control of the Office of the President and made autonomous. The Umbrella for Democratic Change legislator said the secretary of IEC should be appointed by parliament instead of the current practice where they are appointed by the President. He also proposed for IEC to be made responsible for delimitation of constituencies.

Gaborone North MP, Mr Haskings Nkaigwa said IEC should be provided with more offices and equipment of its staff. 

He said the Commission has a serious shortage of offices at the moment. Mr Nkaigwa also called for the Commission to be given extra funds for political education to the public. Ends