Was Parliament�s amendment of the Standing Orders Constitutional? (Part I)

Morima
Morima

The 10th Parliament’s amendment, made as recently as August 2014, of Parliamentary Standing Orders resulting in provisions that the elections for the Vice President, and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly shall be by secret ballot has thrown Botswana into a constitutional crisis.

This, after government waged a legal challenge on the amendment’s constitutionality, a process which not only delayed the swearing in of Members of Parliament (MPs), but also halted the election of the Vice President, and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

I need to hasten to state that though one may not agree with government’s action, one has to admire the fact that, as confirmation for its respect for the rule of law, government is using the courts, and not a presidential decree, to pray for the amendment’s rescission.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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