10 Dec 2020

Member of Parliament for Letlhakeng/Lephephe, Mr Liakat Kablay says the habit of politicians to move to different parties after being voted into office by another political party was in a way disregarding voters’ rights.

Contributing to the ongoing debates on the Constitution amendment Bill in Parliament, Mr Kablay said when the Bill was presented to the 10th Parliament some legislators did not agree with certain provisions, hence the need to consult with their constituents.

He said the clause was removed and now the Bill was long overdue as Batswana were waiting with bated breath for it to reach the floor of Parliament.

He urged other MPs to abide by the campaign promises and not move from one party willy-nilly at the expense of votes.

He said this saddened voters and often led to voter apathy.

Mr Kablay said there was nothing much to alter in the provisions of the new clause of the amended Bill.

MP for Jwaneng/Mabutsane, Mr Mephato Reatile said they consulted with their constituents during the 10th Parliament and different views were voiced concerning contents of the Bill.

He said in other countries such as Uganda, the law of floor crossing was used, but the peace and stability in those countries left a lot to be desired.

He said such pieces of the proposed legislation would have a bad effect at the end if not implemented properly.

Mr Reatile said as representatives, they should abide by the mandate of their voters and not act as delegates from their constituencies.

He told Parliament that he also benefitted from the special election dispensation.

He said the sad part was the imbalance in some provisions of the Bill, hence the need to strike a balance on issues of national interest such as amending the Constitution.

Mr Reatile said constitutional review demanded stability, which he said could not be attained by blocking floor crossing.

He said there was a need for Batswana to be consulted extensively and for Parliament to approve what was agreed upon by voters.

He decried the high cost of elections that would ensue due to those who were likely to cross over to new political homes.

Mr Reatile said it was a good idea to consult dikgosi on the matter, but only eight were resourced to consult further with their communities.

He said Parliament must consider instituting a law that would allow voters to recall a councillor or a Member of Parliament.

For his part, Leader of Opposition, Mr Dumelang Saleshando said the constitution of Botswana had long set up an electoral system that oppressed the candidates through the first-past-the-post.

Mr Saleshando said the ruling party was walking on thin ice and was using the constitution as a scapegoat.

He appealed to MPs to rather wait for constitutional review and amend section 58.

He said the notion that floor crossing was depriving voters their rights was just a hypocritical statement. ENDS