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Parties and Candidates

Botswana Botswana

PC001

Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question:What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s): a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
b. Deposit requirement (specify amount)
f. Other
Comments: The registration of political parties as a legal entity is governed by the Societies Act. In order to be registered parties need to have a constitution and apply to the Registrar of Societies. Every application for registration of a party shall be made in triplicate form, be signed by two office-bearers of the society, be sent or submitted to the Registrar, be accompanied by two copies of the constitution and rules, regulations or bye-laws of the society, and be accompanied by a prescribed fee which shall not be returnable whether or not the application is granted or refused.
Source: Societies Act, art. 6(1)-(4): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/BW/bostwana-societies-act-chapter-18-01 (2014); Registration of Societies Regulations of 5th January, 1973 (as amended up to 2004), art. 3: http://www1.eis.gov.bw/EIS/Policies/Subsidiary%20Legislation/CAP%2018-01%20Societies%20Subsidiary%20Legislation.pdf (2014); EISA, Party Registration in Botswana: http://www.content.eisa.org.za/old-page/botswana-party-registration (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
PC003

Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question:What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s): a. Age
b. Citizenship
d. Residence
f. Registration
i. Minimum level of literacy
Comments: Eligible candidates for the National Assembly must be citizens of Botswana, at least 18 years old, registered in the electoral roll and able to speak and read English well enough to take an active part in the proceedings of the Assembly. In order to be registered in the electoral roll, they must have either resided in Botswana for a continuous period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date on which they apply for registration or have been born in Botswana and are domiciled in Botswana on the date on which they apply for registration.
Source: Constitution of Botswana art. 61, 67 (1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/africa/BW/botswana-constitution-of-1966-with-amendments-up/view (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
PC008

Independent candidates
Question:Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s): c. In legislative elections (Chamber 1)
Comments: Every candidate shall be nominated by a proposer, seconder and not fewer than seven other persons as supporters. The names of such proposer, seconder and supporters shall be on the election roll for the constituency for which the candidate seeks election. The President is indirectly elected by the National Assembly.
Source: Electoral Act of 1968 (as amended until 2012), art. 35: http://www.iec.gov.bw/images/pdf/ElectoralAct.pdf (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
PC012

Public funding of parties
Question:Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s): a. No
Comments: Political finance is not regulated in Botswana and there is no public funding for political parties.
Source: EISA - Code of conduct and party finance in Botswana: http://www.content.eisa.org.za/old-page/botswana-code-conduct-and-party-finance (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
PC015


Question:What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s): g. Not applicable
Comments: There is no public funding for political parties or candidates.
Source: EISA - Code of conduct and party finance in Botswana: http://www.content.eisa.org.za/old-page/botswana-code-conduct-and-party-finance (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
PC017


Question:Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: No law regulates political party funding or expenditure.
Source: Electoral Act of 1968 (as amended until 2012): http://www.iec.gov.bw/images/pdf/ElectoralAct.pdf (2014). EISA - Code of conduct and party finance in Botswana: http://www.content.eisa.org.za/old-page/botswana-code-conduct-and-party-finance (2014).
Verified: 2014/10/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
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