Defining moment as IEC vets out undesirables
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday October 4, 2024 14:49
After a thorough examination, the Commission will also confirm the nomination of candidates who are fit to stand for public office as Botswana gears up for the General Election later this month. This is a critical moment for all because some political parties could find their candidates being vetted out forcing last-minute replacements.
IEC as the authority that determines whether one can contest in the upcoming elections will be guided by the constitution throughout. The IEC holds the authority to confirm a candidate's eligibility to vote, IEC spokesperson, Osupile Maroba, has highlighted. In an interview with Maroba on Wednesday, he stated that as the IEC, they implement 'what is in the Constitution. The process must start with political parties. We hope members understand this Section and it applies to both Parliament and council seats.'
According to section 62 of the constitution of Botswana on qualifications for election to the National Assembly a person shall not be qualified to be elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) if they have been declared insolvent or adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any law for the time being in force in Botswana and has not been discharged, or has made a composition with his or her creditors and has not paid his or her debts in full. A person shall also be disqualified from membership in the National Assembly if they are certified to be insane or otherwise adjudged or declared to be unsound. “A person shall not be qualified to be so elected unless subject to such exceptions as may be prescribed by Parliament, holds any public office, or is acting in any public office by virtue of a contract of service expressed to continue for a period exceeding six months mind under any law for the time being in force in Botswana,” states section 62 (e) of the constitution.
The IEC will also weed out aspirants who are under the sentence of death imposed on them by a court in any part of the Commonwealth or are under a sentence of imprisonment (by whatever name called) exceeding six months imposed on them by such a court or substituted by competent authority for some other sentence imposed on him or her by such a court.
“Parliament may provide that a person shall not be qualified for election to the National Assembly for such period (not exceeding five years) as may be prescribed if he or she is convicted of any such offense connected with elections to the Assembly as may be prescribed”. In addition, Members of the Ntlo ya Dikgosi will not be allowed to run for parliament. Overall the candidate should be an 18-year-plus citizen of Botswana who is qualified for registration as a voter for the election. Candidates should be able to speak, and, unless incapacitated by blindness or other physical cause, to read English well enough to take an active part in the proceedings of the Assembly. If a party has not verified that its candidate is registered in the desired location or has not completed the registration process, that candidate might not be eligible to contest for the 2024 General Election.