Response to the 2014 Budget
Friday, February 07, 2014
Unfortunately, the swearing in of Dr Habaudi Hobona was deliberately boycotted by the President of the republic, who had in the past ensured that he was present in the House when members who had won by-elections took their oath, starting with Tshekedi Khama in 2008, followed by Fidelis Molao in 2010, Bernard Bolele in 2012 and Ngaka Ngaka last year. When Parliament convened at 2pm on February 3, President Khama was within the parliamentary buildings. He chose not to be in the House but to rather sit in the Speakers office and listen to proceedings from there and only entered Parliament after Hobona had taken her oath, an act of utmost political intolerance by the most senior citizen.
Figures released by the country’s electoral management body have shown that a total of 1, 037, 684 people have registered to vote.However, eligible voters could be discouraged by events leading to the voting day like poor execution of advance voting amid talks that the elections could be unfair.There have also been threats by certain opposition politicians that shall the elections not be free and fair, they will halt them.Despite these...