State funding of political parties law to be tabled

LEKOPANYE MOOKETSI
Correspondent | Friday August 13, 2010 00:00

Addressing a media briefing, Arone said state funding of political parties is a necessary cost of democracy.  He said it would ensure a level playing field for competing political parties and avoid unfair advantages especially for the ruling party that benefits mainly from companies that are in return rewarded with government tenders.

He added that it is also a yardstick for the best international standards of a mature and well functioning democracy.  He noted that Botswana is a signatory to many international bodies and protocols that recommend public funding of political parties to their members.  

Arone said his party (Botswana Congress Party) has made it clear in their manifesto that if they take over power, they will introduce state funding of political parties. The MP said there are many reasons for funding of political parties.  He said the reasons differ from country to country.  'We believe we should emulate other countries,' he said.

Arone said observer missions and other international organisations have always recommended that Botswana introduce state funding of political parties.  He noted that even the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and local media has made the same call. 

On the question of where the money would come from, Arone said: 'We will get money through the normal budgetary processes.' Arone said there is no best international formula for public funding of political parties and it differs from country to country.

He gave an example of the model adopted by Kgalagadi Breweries last year when it funded local political parties. The money was allocated to the parties depending on how they performed in the last general elections, with the BDP receiving the lion's share of the donation.

Arone however, finds fault with this model.  'The only problem with the model is that the party with a higher percentage takes a larger share, diluting the argument of leveling the playing field.

BCP however supports the Lesotho model, as half of the allotted amount is shared equally among all deserving political parties, for administrative purposes while the remaining half is later disbursed to parties during an election year. 

Arone said they would prefer a model where all deserving parties are given an equal share. The legislator said that the BCP proposal for the criteria of funding political parties is that only parties with a representation in parliament or those that have gained a five percent popular vote in the last immediate general election should be funded.  

Arone promised to work with stakeholders to identify the best model suitable for the country. The MP said while public funding is very important for a working democracy it is also a potential source of corrupt influences.  He said there is need for explicit rules to prevent and detect corruption. He revealed that many countries have decided to introduce a system of regulation political party funding.

At the same meeting, BCP publicity secretary, Taolo Lucas said they have realised that it is important to present bills in parliament rather than motions.  He said BCP MPs are going to come up with a number of bills including one calling for the declaration of assets.

He said the intention of coming up with bills has been motivated by the amendment of parliamentary standing orders.  He recalled that in the past, an MP had to ask for permission from parliament before presenting a private member's bill. But he said things have changed.  With the new arrangement, he said you only need an approval of 10 MPs to present a bill. He said things will be easier since there are more than 10 opposition MPs.