29 May 2023

The decision on whether or not to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) rests with the voting public and not government, says Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Lemogang Kwape.

The minister, who is in Nigeria for the inauguration of  the country’s president-elect, Mr Bola Tinubu, was responding to a question on whether government would join the bandwagon and employ EVMs during elections.

Nigeria, for instance  used the machine during its February elections.

“If you recall, this is not a new debate to Batswana. It has been discussed on various platforms including during the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution of Botswana whose report has been submitted to the government,” he said.

 Dr Kwape said the matter would be escalated to the National Assembly for further debate and determination.

On other issues, he explained that MPs, Messrs Palelo Mataosane of Thamaga-Kumakwane and Mr Kgoberego Nkawana of Selebi Phikwe East, were part of the delegation  at the behest of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi because as leaders,  they needed to appreciate the work government put into luring investors.

He said it was President Masisi’s conviction that, funds permitting, national leaders and individual Batswana should tag along on presidential trips.

That would ensure better appreciation of the role and significance of bilateral relations and cooperation that ‘is the lifeblood of any existing country’, Minister Kwapa said. ends