On 5th December 2024, the All-Party Conference convened at the Fairgrounds Holdings Annex Hall from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, chaired by the Minister for State President. Representatives from all political parties in Botswana were in attendance, making the conference a significant gathering to address key issues in the country’s political landscape.
The primary agenda of the meeting was to:
- Receive feedback from the Secretary of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on the past elections.
- Discuss Political Funding as outlined in the Political Party Funding Act passed by Parliament in August 2024.
- Provide feedback on electoral reforms proposed by the All-Party Conference in previous meetings.
IEC Feedback on Past Elections
The Secretary of the IEC provided a comprehensive report on the recent elections, noting that they were a resounding success. The elections were deemed well-conducted with satisfactory attendance, and international election observers praised the process as a great achievement for Botswana’s democracy.
Discussion on Political Funding
The meeting also focused on the implementation of the Political Party Funding Act, No. 13 of 2024, which governs the distribution of funds to qualifying political parties. According to the Act, political parties that meet specific criteria will receive funding appropriated by the National Assembly.
The Act stipulates that qualifying political parties will receive funds based on their percentage of the popular vote in the general elections. The first 50% of the allocated funds, amounting to P34.6 million as approved by Parliament, will be equally distributed among four parties—BCP, UDC, BPF, and BDP—each of which received more than 5% of the popular vote. These parties will each receive P4,325,000, upon submission of their banking details and establishment of special accounts for these funds.
The remaining 50% of the funds will be disbursed at the beginning of each financial year for the next five years, based on the number of seats held by each party in the National Assembly. The allocation is divided as follows:
- UDC: P2,946,626.02
- BPF: P1,146,300.81
- BDP: P1,090,040.65
- BCP: P1,737,032.52
However, it was noted that the law as written is not perceived as fair by all political parties, particularly those that did not meet the 5% threshold but still participated in the general elections. To address this concern, the meeting agreed to establish a sub-committee comprising representatives from all parties. This sub-committee will work to revise the Political Party Funding Act to ensure that it accommodates all parties that participated in the elections and facilitates multi-party democracy. The goal is to revise the Act by the end of the 2024/25 financial year.
Next Steps and Upcoming Meetings
The sub-committee responsible for reviewing the Political Party Funding Act will meet to discuss potential revisions. Members were asked to submit names to the Secretariat by Monday, 9th December 2024. The first meeting of the sub-committee will be held on 16th December 2024, with the venue to be advised.
Additionally, the feedback on electoral reforms, as proposed by the All-Party Conference in past meetings, will be shared with members by Friday, 6th December 2024. Members are expected to provide their feedback by Wednesday, 18th December 2024.
The All-Party Conference on 5th December 2024 was a productive session that tackled important issues affecting Botswana’s political system. While the recent elections were hailed as a success, the discussions surrounding political funding highlighted the need for greater fairness and inclusivity in the distribution of funds to all political parties. The establishment of a sub-committee to review the Political Party Funding Act marks a significant step toward ensuring a more equitable political landscape in Botswana.
