06 Aug 2024

Legislators have unanimously supported the Bill that seeks to facilitate and regulate funding of political parties by government.

Contributing to the debate on Monday, Leader of Opposition (LOO) and Selebi Phikwe West legislator, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse appreciated past legislators who he said long advocated for the provision.

Mr Keorapetse said there was a need to ensure sustenance of political parties as they defined the concept of multi-party democracy.

He however, pleaded that rather than just the issue of public education on politics, the funding should also be extended to cover parties’ operational costs and elections campaigns.

“The law should also be flexible to allow the parties to use the funding to initiate other avenues of making money, such as registering trusts that could in turn operate profit making businesses,” he said.

Mr Keorapetse argued that such a provision would allow financial self-sustenance by parties, ultimately reducing the financial burden on government.

He also called for the establishment of a democracy fund under the care of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

“Under such a fund, donors could contribute into the account monies to be used on any democracy related project, including funding of political parties. This would also allow the private sector to contribute out of their own volition,” he said.

He said allowing the private sector to assist in funding would be handy as parties may need more funds than what government would allot.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Pono Moatlhodi said through the Bill, history had been made as it would be the first time that political parties were funded by government.

“This is like manna from heaven, especially that the funds would be exempted from tax,” he said.Mr Moatlhodi also said it was visionary by government to ensure that funding would only be provided to serious parties and close doors to those that wanted to just come and explore the political landscape.

He added that equally welcome was the provision that the first instalment of the funds should be done immediately after the general elections.

He thereby advised that continuous checks and balances be done on parties that had been funded to ensure accountability.

Maun East MP, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile said the funding of political parties would help to level the playing field as lack of resources and finances had been disadvantaging opposition parties.

He however said the law should have provided for assisting disadvantaged groups such as people living with disability to participate in politics.

He also suggested that instead of just disqualifying parties that flout the Act, the law should instead be as strict as to de-register them.

He also suggested that the parties’ books should be audited by an independent auditor and not the Auditor General.

For his part, Boteti East legislator, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe appreciated the Minister of Finance, Honourable Peggy Serame for availing the funds during this year’s financial budget allocations even before the Bill was brought to Parliament, which he said was visionary by her.

Mr Lelatisitswe said that the Bill was also a recognition that politicians needed money to run democracy.

“Politicians are more often compelled to financially dig into their pockets to sustain democracy, which in some cases means a substantial amount,” he said. ENDS