Opposition MPs walk out after defeat of media motion

The motion by Kanye North MP, Kentse Rammidi of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) wanted the state media to be even- handed in covering all parties participating in general elections later this year. Initially, Deputy Speaker, Pono Moatlhodi ruled that the motion had been passed in the voice vote.

When the call for division came, opposition MP Lobatse Nehemiah Modubule said it was unprocedural as all those who had debated the motion had supported it.  The mover of the motion, Rammidi, had argued that government’s excessive control of state media thwarts the democratic process of a fair election.