According to Kekgonegile, the BCP will, therefore, have to negotiate with the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) to benefit from the funding. "Firstly, 90% of the Bill gives every party an opportunity to benefit based on their hard work. In the 2019 general elections, we did not contest as the BCP but under the UDC, which is why we are still regarded as the UDC in Parliament. Consequently, we believe the UDC will be able to allocate funds to us since we contested as part of their coalition. Unfortunately, the Bill is not progressive but conservative. It will, thus, cause unnecessary conflicts within the opposition," he said.
He further said that if the funds were released after the elections, they would not need to negotiate with the UDC but with those directly affiliated. Additionally, he expressed satisfaction with clauses that promote women's inclusion, as it would help political parties ensure increased female representation. Clause 5 of the Bill provides for the formula of how the money are to be allocated to political parties, for example, 50% of the money is to be distributed amongst political parties that have received at least five percent of the total number of votes cast in the immediate preceding general election, whilst the other 50% will be distributed on the basis of the number of parliamentary seats won by a political party in Parliament. “Clauses 6 and 7 provide for purposes for which money received must be used and that money allocated in terms of this law will be exempt from income tax while clauses 8 and 9 provide for the obligation on political parties to demonstrate how the money allocated to them have been utilised and whether such utilisation is in compliance with the purposes for which the money are to be used for, submission of audited books of accounts of a political party, respectively,” the gazetted Bill says.
The Bill, which will be presented by the State President Minister, Kabo Morwaeng, states that it is made to ensure accountability and transparency in its procurement processes and that such procurement processes are in compliance with the laws of Botswana. However, clause 10 provides for the suspension of the disbursement of money where there is contravention of any of the provisions of this Act, while clause 11 provides for appeals by aggrieved persons against any decisions made under this Act. Still, on the Bill, clauses 12 and 13 provide for the general penalty for any contravention of the provisions of this law and the power of the Minister to make regulations for the better carrying out of the purposes and provisions of this Act and for any matter under the Act, which requires to be prescribed.
