|
News and Information
President-elect inaugration November 2
| October 27, 2004 |
27 October, 2004
GABORONE The presidential nominee whose party would have gained more than half of the 57 parliamentary seats will be inaugurated on November 2 in front of Parliament buildings.
Chief Justice Julian Nganunu, who is the returning officer for presidential elections, will officiate after the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced the winner.
Already preparations for the swearing-in ceremony have started. The four presidential hopefuls are incumbent Festus Mogae of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) , Otsweletse Moupo of the Botswana National Front (BNF), Otlaadisa Koosaletse of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and Dick Bayford of the New Democratic Front (NDF).
Moupo is leading an electoral pact which also includes Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) and Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM). No foreign dignitary would be invited to attend the event, according to press secretary to the president Jeff Ramsay.
Dr Ramsay said there would not be enough time to send invitations. Clerk of the National Assembly Alpheus Matlhaku said some election observers, who include 10 MPs from the United Kingdom, who are expected to observe elections in Kasane, would grace the occasion.
Regarding the next Parliament meeting, Matlhaku said Ray Molomo remained Speaker until the new MPs elected one from either among themselves or from outside the National Assembly.
Matlhaku would not provide names of possible candidates for Speaker and Deputy Speaker, saying such names would be proposed by the legislators.
However, the Constitution stipulates that the MPs should elect the Deputy Speaker when Parliament first sits after the dissolution. The other position to be filled is that of a vice president.
The president is empowered by the Constitution to appoint his deputy "from among members of the National Assembly who are citizens of Botswana by birth or descent".
When Parliament meets the other first item on the MPs' agenda will be to decide on four specially elected MPs. Parties represented in the House are free to suggest names which are then voted on by the MPs.
The first meeting of the first session of the ninth Parliament at which the president would deliver the State of the Nation Address, is provisionally scheduled for next month. BOPA |
Source: Dailynews@gov.bw |
|
|
| Support Caprivi Freedom |
Fill out the form below to become a member of this site and receive our regular newsletter.
|
|
