Opposition MPs walk out after defeat of media motion
Monday, April 14, 2014
The motion by Kanye North MP, Kentse Rammidi of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) wanted the state media to be even- handed in covering all parties participating in general elections later this year. Initially, Deputy Speaker, Pono Moatlhodi ruled that the motion had been passed in the voice vote.
When the call for division came, opposition MP Lobatse Nehemiah Modubule said it was unprocedural as all those who had debated the motion had supported it. The mover of the motion, Rammidi, had argued that government’s excessive control of state media thwarts the democratic process of a fair election.
The recent disclosure by the IEC that 2,513 registrations have been turned down due to various irregularities should prompt all Batswana to meticulously review the voters' rolls and address concerns about rejected registrations.The disparities flagged by the IEC are troubling and emphasise the significance of rigorous voter registration processes.Out of the rejected registrations, 29 individuals were disqualified due to non-existent Omang...