● Commission gives State political funding thumbs up

● Funding parties has serious political and budgetary implications - Morwaeng

● The funding will be tantamount to heist by the BDP – BCP Currently parties struggle due to lack of funds - UDC

Since 1966 the lack of State political party funding in Botswana has drastically swung the balance of competition, often times in favour of the ruling party and to the disadvantage of opposition parties.

With money as an essential component of the democratic processes, the opposition have always advocated for state funding to promote a level playing field in financing democracy.

This unlevel playing field in the political game had in the past forced some opposition parties to seek funding from elsewhere and sometimes from foreign donors. Not so long ago the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) legislators wanted to push for a law that will prohibit donations to parties by foreign governments or agencies, foreign persons or entities, organs of state or state-owned enterprises.

The move, which has not yet materialised, was meant to cripple the opposition more ahead of the 2024 General Elections considering that the government is yet to give political funding thumbs up.

Speaking of thumbs up, in their report, the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution has recommended that political party funding be introduced. The Commission wants the funding based on parliamentary seats won by parties in the immediate past general elections.

They also want parties to be funded at the rate of not less than P50, 000 or such amount as may be determined by Parliament from time to time per Member of Parliament (MP).

Now this has raised a debate with varying views from across all political circles. Contacted for comment regarding the Commission’s recommendation, UDC spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa said their position has been consistent on political party funding.

He said there should be political party funding based on each party’s share of the total votes cast in the last general election. “The era of leaving funding of political parties to individuals, party activists and other actors in society undermines democracy and is not sustainable.

“It compromises the parties’ independence and gives the donors/ funders illegitimate power and stranglehold over decision making and policy formulation,” he highlighted. “Funding political parties will build capacity, which will enable them to have their message reach the voters.

This will strengthen and entrench democracy as the voters will make informed choices after having been reached and familiarised with different parties’ policy offerings.” Mohwasa said currently some parties struggle to reach voters and sell themselves due to lack of funds.

For her part Botswana Congress Party (BCP) spokesperson, Dr Mpho Pheko said the BCP does note that the Commission has recommended political party funding. She said the BCP has for a long time been calling for political party funding.

“We continue to suggest that political party funding would serve the nation better if it is part of a proportional representation or mixed proportional representation electoral system instead of a FPTP in which only a few players benefit,” she said.

Pheko pointed out that considering this recommendation, and the current Parliament, the BDP will rake in close to P2000,000 while the next dominant party, UDC will take home around P800,000, BPF (P150,000) and Alliance for Progressives will take home a meagre P50,000. She emphasised that if done under the current electoral system the funding will be tantamount to heist by the BDP.

This week in Parliament, State President Minister Kabo Morwaeng revealed that government has not yet taken a position on state funding of political parties because it has serious political and budgetary implications so there is need for extensive consultation on the matter.

Morwaeng was responding to a question from Serowe North legislator, Baratiwa Mathoothe who had asked the Minister for State President if he does not see the need to introduce political party funding given the numerous ongoing court cases alleging that some contractors have given a percentage of their profits to the ruling party.

Morwaeng clarified that they are not aware of any cases alleging that some contractors have given a percentage of their profits to the ruling party.

He said the government is not in a position to provide answers to matters that are purported to be allegations. Moreover, Morwaeng said the issue of political party funding continues to feature as a parliamentary question in almost every sitting of Parliament.

“The last time we answered the same question was in April 2021, when MP for Bobonong constituency, Taolo Lucas, posed it. The issue was also discussed extensively during the recent constitutional review consultative meetings.

“As you are all aware the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution of Botswana has submitted its report. A white paper is being developed which will inform the actual Constitutional review process,” he further highlighted.

He said legislators should wait for this process to be completed so that issues that have been raised, like political funding are dealt with systematically and conclusively under the Constitutional Review process, which they hope will result in whether the government introduces political party funding or not.

The role of money in politics has shed the light on the challenges of opposition political parties as the increasing concentration of economic resources in the hands of fewer people presents a significant threat to political and economic systems.

Also allegations of use of state resources during election campaigns had reportedly impeded the levelling of the political playing field.

Some members opposition have in the past complained about the BDP and its government seeking an unfair advantage over opposition parties through the use of public funds and assets for its political activities.