Leaders should account - MP
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday December 3, 2014 12:02
The Member of Parliament for Selebi-Phikwe West Dithapelo Keorapetse is set to table a motion in Parliament requesting for a law that will make it compulsory for the Head of State to attend parliament proceedings. This will make them more accountable to the nation, he said.
Commenting on the State of the Nation Address yesterday, he said that Botswana should emulate standards of other developed countries where the head of state is bound to participate in parliament and responds to questions from MPs.
“In the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) we believe that for the president to unreservedly and confidently exercise political and administrative authority, he should enjoy undisputed legitimacy. A better way to confer this legitimacy is through direct election of the president. This will also force the president to come to parliament during debates or to take it serious,” Keorapetse said.
He said democracy presupposes that rulers are chosen by the ruled and removed by the ruled, and that rulers act in the interest of the ruled.
In addition, he said it is important for the president to be sued in case he is involved in serious crime, misdemeanour, or breach of the law. Kearapetse also called for full independence of parliament and its effectiveness saying currently, parliament is a department under the Office of the President in that it depends on OP for the budget.
“Parliament cannot enforce its decisions such as the declaration of assets and liabilities, floor crossing, broadcasting of parliament debates, and political funding. And that is why it depends on OP for its budget. The president has the power to dissolve parliament at any time for any reason.”
He said parliamentary resolutions must bind the Executive for implementation and entrench the Leader of the Opposition in the constitution and for the same to be accountable to the Speaker. However, the Selebi Phikwe legislator urged the opposition to be fair and rational in their criticism.
Keorapetse asked the members to desist from actions that have the potential to undermine unity and democratic stability. “We should protect, defend and uphold principles of constitutionalism, the rule of law and the peace and stability of the nation.”