05 Dec 2013

Generally Batswana have accepted the realignment of the constituency boundaries as determined by the Delimitation Commission, says Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration.


Answering a question in Parliament on Tuesday, December 4, Mr Gaotlhaetse Matlhabaphiri however said there were naturally some isolated dissenting voices.

He noted that as to what was taken into account when aligning the current boundaries, the only competent authority to enlighten people on that was the Delimitation Commission itself which unfortunately was dissolved upon its presentation of the report to the President.

“Even if some constituencies have been made more complicated and inaccessible for effective political representation, I believe decisions of the commission were informed by the consultations that took place,” said Matlhabaphiri.

Further, he noted that the good intentions initially anticipated by the delimitation exercise were as stated at Section (65)2 of the Botswana Constitution that boundaries of each constituency shall be such that the number of inhabitants thereof is as nearly equal to the population quota as is reasonably practicable.

He also said Batswana were consulted in the process, therefore they have a say in the decision of the Commission.
Kweneng East MP, Mr Moeng Pheto had asked the Minister to update parliament on the general feeling of Batswana on the realignment of constituency boundaries by the Delimitation Commission exercise and what was taken into account when aligning the current boundaries.

MP Pheto had also asked whether the Minister realised that some constituencies such as the Letlhakeng-Lephepe have been made more complicated and were in-accessible for effective political representation.
He had also wanted to know the good intentions initially anticipated by this exercise and whether it was not opportune to review the law to allow Batswana to have a say in the decision of the Commission. ENDS