07 Jul 2024

 Political parties have expressed mixed views on state funding of political parties ahead of the upcoming general elections.

The issue was highlighted by finance minister, Ms Peggy Serame in her presentation of  the national  budget early this year when she announced that government had budgeted P34.6 million towards the fund.

Speaking in an interview following the All-Party Conference in Phakalane on Thursday, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) head of publicity, Mr Moeti Mohwasa said they embraced the proposed funding, but with reservations on the formula. 

He said the UDC was of the view that funding should be based on the party’s performance in the previous general elections.

“Our position has always been clear that funding should solely be determined by the political party’s performance in the previous elections in order to distribute the funds fairly,” he said.

Botswana Congress Party representative, Mr Oral Mosedame said the party was of the opinion that the money should be equitably distributed among all political parties in the country and not only those with parliamentary seats.

He also said it was upon all political parties to agree on a model that would be used to distribute the funds fairly.

“All political parties should be funded to assist in daily administration matters,” he said, adding that it would be undemocratic to only fund parties that have parliamentary seats.

For his part, Botswana Patriot Front (BPF) chairperson, Mr Carter Morupisi said the BPF wanted the establishment of a trust fund under the custody of the Independent Electoral Commission. 

He said any entity, company or individual willing to donate could channel the funds through the trust. 

Mr Morupisi added that the establishment of the trust fund would guard against state capture by international donors. 

He also said 80 per cent of the funds should be equally distributed among registered political parties while the remaining 20 per cent should be proportionately shared based on parliamentary seats.

Botswana Republican Party leader, Mr Biggie  Butale said his party was of the view that the funds should be distributed on the basis of the number of parliamentary seats a political party is occupying.

Mr Butale said the funds should be allocated in good faith and to nurture democracy, but not to reward political parties for their previous election performance. Ends