State funding of political parties law to be tabled

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.