04 Aug 2024

Debate on the proposed Bill which seeks to amend the Electoral Act to provide for a more transparent and corruption free electoral process is expected to continue in Parliament this week.

Presented by Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse last week, the Bill intends to also have the Act safeguard integrity of the elections and thus enhancing public participation and confidence in the electoral process.

MP Keorapetse, who is also Leader of Opposition in Parliament, said the proposed amendment was in line with the Independence Electoral Commission (IEC) stakeholders’ report, international observers, SADC principles and guidelines for democratic elections, SADC model law on elections, AU, Commonwealth and EU standards.

He called for the introduction of the use of a driving license and passport for registration and voting.

Mr Keorapetse was of the view that a voter who had lost or without a voter’s registration card but appeared on the voters roll, should be allowed to vote, provided they had an identity card, drivers’ license or passport.

He also called for the re-introduction of the use of an indelible ink to ensure the integrity of the elections and inspire confidence of the public in the electoral process to avoid real or perceived possibility of multiple voting.

He also advocated for the Act to provide for the use of transparent ballot boxes during elections, arguing that the contrary was apparent because one would not be sure there was totally nothing in them.

He also wanted the Act to provide for counting of votes, including those in the diaspora, to be done at the polling stations where votes were cast.

Conversely, Minister for State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng was against the Bill, arguing that it was too late for the MP to bring it to Parliament, given that ballot boxes for the general elections had already been secured.

Some MPs supported the proposed amendment with Palapye legislator, Mr Onneetse Ramogapi saying the use of other identity documents was a welcome development.

“For some reason identity cards have a way of mysteriously disappearing during election day and therefore disadvantages the voter,” he said.

Mr Ramogapi was of the view that in such cases, one should be allowed to vote provided they had registered to vote.

Also supporting the Bill was Selebi Phikwe East MP, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana who argued that it was time ballot papers were counted at polling stations at which voting took place.

Similarly, Mr Nkawana said the fact that vehicles had to run up and down, especially at night to take ballot boxes to a different place was endangering people’s lives.

Gaborone Bonnington North MP, Ms Annah Mokgethi, however said secondary identification would not be used as primary document.

“Omang is the primary document that is allowed therefore the others documents like drivers’ license and passport are secondary,” she said, arguing against the Bill. ENDS