22 Aug 2022

Parliament last Thursday passed the Constitution Amendment Bill 2022, which sought to increase the number of elected Members of Parliament from the current 57 to 61. 

The bill was tabled by Minister for State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng.

Contributing to the debate, Mmathethe/Molapowabojang MP, Dr Edwin Dikoloti said he supported the motion although an increment of four was low. 

He noted that his constituency covered four sub-districts while some council wards were serviced from different sub-districts. 

Furthermore, he said his constituents were offered services from different land boards, hindering effective service delivery.

“I request that the delimitation commission re-align our constituencies to ensure smooth service delivery,” he said.

He also said upgrading sub-districts would improve access to services since councillors sat in different sub-councils.

MP for Bobonong, Mr Taolo Lucas said there was no logic informing the number of constituencies to be added. “This bill emanates from a motion that was tabled even before the population census was concluded, so four is just a random number,” he said.

He argued that based on the 2022 population census results, increasing the number of constituencies by four was too little. 

He said the numbers had shown that there was a population increase in most constituencies across the country.

“Constituencies such as Bobonong and Palapye are eligible candidates for delimitation since the numbers now surpass the 41 000 quota,” he said.

Okavango MP, Mr Kenny Kapinga argued that the proposed number was too low considering the vast area and difficult terrains such as Okavango.

 “Okavango is the mother of all difficult constituencies,” he said.

He underscored the need to divide Okavango constituency to ensure better management and access by the MP. 

He said he travelled approximately 400km between areas in his constituency, and that it was costly.

He suggested that the six specially elected MP positions be converted to elected positions to increase representation and consequently advance democracy.

MP for Lerala/Maunatlala, Mr Sethabelo Modukanele implored MPs to think outside the box to ensure effective and efficient representation with the little resources they had. 

He said in order to enhance accessibility of representatives, there was need to increase council wards, funds permitting.

He also said there was need to review priorities and sacrifice some things to promote equal representation.

 He further suggested that disadvantaged groups such as women and people living with disabilities should be represented through specially elected MPs.

“Whatever we come with should be in the best interest of these groups and that of Batswana in general,” he said.

Maun East MP, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile said the proposed number was low, arguing that the specially elected positions should be forfeited to increase the number of elected MPs. 

He said specially elected MPs were no longer relevant since they were not nominated based on special skills.

He argued that some constituencies were heavily populated, hence the need to increase constituencies by more than six.

 He said the North West region was vast hence requested that one of the proposed constituencies be awarded to their region to reduce the distance travelled by MPs in that region.

Mr Dumelang Saleshando for Maun West said the delimitation commission should be made of experts to ensure fair representation and effective service delivery. He said he rejected the proposed number since it was not based on logic.

Jwaneng/Mabutsane MP, Mr Mephato Reatile argued that due to advanced reasons on financial constraints, some specially elected MP positions should be converted to increase the number of constituencies. 

He said some wards in his constituency such as Sekoma were  wide and that it made it difficult for the area councillor to reach people.

Responding to the debate, Mr Morwaeng said the bill had went through all the necessary steps until it reached Parliament. 

He said, therefore, it was up to the delimitation commission to carry out its mandate, based on the number agreed on by legislators. He noted that the process could not follow the normal procedure due to reasons beyond control.

He said the 2022 population census showed a slight increase in the overall population, contrary to some arguments. 

He also said there was need to appreciate how constituencies had increased from 1965, adding that  former MPs who managed vast constituencies deserved praise.

“From 1965 we have increased MPs from 31 to the current 61, and this is double the number which shows growth and progress,” he said.

The minister said the bill could not await the recommendations of the enquiry into the constitutional review commission since it paved way for the 2024 general elections.

Even though he acknowledged that some constituencies covered vast areas, he said there was need to make a gradual increase, which was determined by availability of resources. ENDS