Africa-Press – Botswana. Some Members of Parliament have suggested that the Electoral Act be amended to allow for counting of ballots or parliamentary votes at polling stations, saying it would enhance the electoral process.
The MPs said the immediate counting of ballot papers at polling stations as opposed to transporting them to one designated counting centre would enhance transparency and efficiency of the electoral process.
The MPs were debating budget estimates for the 2023/2024 financial year in respect to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) which was presented by Minister for State President, Mr Kabo Morwaeng recently.
Thamaga/Kumakwane MP, Mr Palelo Motaosane insisted that counting of ballots at polling stations would ensure timely release of election results.
Mr Motaosane said the distance and terrains between polling stations and counting centres often contributed to delays in the counting process and ultimately the release of election results.
“The polling station staff are perfectly capable of performing this task, and this arrangement obviates the need to transport the ballot boxes and accompanying documents, thus reducing the risk of substitution,” said Mr Mataosane.
Serowe North MP, Mr Baratiwa Mathoothe also pleaded for ballots to be counted at polling stations to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Mathoothe said counting of ballots at polling stations as opposed to a central point in each constituency could cut costs incurred by the IEC during elections.
“It is worth noting that spending on ballot transportation poses a financial challenge on the already cash-strapped IEC,” he said.
Mr Mathoothe also indicated that counting of ballots at polling stations would streamline the counting process and the release of results.
Bobonong MP, Mr Taolo Lucas said transportation of ballot boxes to counting centres could result in election rigging and voting disparities.
He also pleaded for the independence of the IEC from the Office of the President as well as from interference from government security agents.
Mr Lucas acknowledged that time had come for Batswana to understand global political trends that there was no democracy without political party funding.
He said political party funding was an integral part of a well-functioning democracy in that political parties played a critical role in carving the country developmental path while at the same time promoting public education for the citizenry.
Ngami legislator, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama said political party funding should be seen in two ways, that of sustenance and for election campaigning.
State or public funding, he said would discourage overreliance of political parties on foreign funding that could be detrimental to the country’s democracy given that it may come with certain conditions.
Responding to the MPs’ comments, Minister Morwaeng said counting of ballot papers at polling stations would require a lot of manpower, which the IEC was currently desperate for.
Mr Morwaeng, however, assured legislators that the IEC was committed to delivering free, fair and credible elections as per its mandate.
He applauded the IEC for the role it played in nurturing the country’s democracy.
To that end, Parliament approved over P246.9 million for IEC’s 2023/2024 financial year proposed budget allocations. ends
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