GABORONE - Lobatse MP has called for the establishment of a political parties fund under the administration of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

By so doing, Mr Nehemiah Modubule said the government would be averting situations whereby different companies might want to run the parties they fund.

Mr Modubule, who is an independent MP, was responding to President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khamas speech.

He said his contention arose from Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) pre-election political parties sponsorship.

He said what they did was questionable saying if donations were directed to IEC; it would be its responsibility to distribute funds among parties.

He further pointed out that party funding by the government was paramount in nurturing Botswanas democracy.

He also called for the review of the constitution saying the election day, should be embedded in the constitution such that everybody would know well in advance unlike the current situation where the day is the preserve of the President and to some extent his party.

Many things happened which could have been avoided had people known about the election day earlier, he said.

Furthermore, he questioned why the President could have such immense powers in a supposedly democratic set-up adding that giving him colossal authority was opening room for abuse.

There is need for review of the constitution because the way it is makes it open for abuse.

There were so many independent candidates in the last general elections and this is largely attributed to the fact that we are no longer living by democratic values in our institutions.

On the issue of developments, he said they were not distributed evenly as other constituencies have enjoyed more developments than others. Some people may be coerced into voting the ruling party because they are desperate for developments in their villages.

On extra judicial killings, Mr Modubule said there was a need for a thorough explanation from the President because many people have been killed by those who are supposed to protect them.

He also noted that men should be given credit for their leading role in elevating women to position of leadership sighting that male MPs who are the majority in Parliament saw it fit to vote Ms Margaret Nasha as the first female speaker.

Males are still in the majority and the decisions they make promote females.

Meanwhile, he expressed gratitude to the residents of Lobatse for making history through their vote to have an independent MP adding that Botswana National Front (BNF) did justice by chasing him out of the party otherwise history would not have been made.

Still contributing on President Khamas speech, Letlhakeng East MP, Mr Liakat Kably said people living with disabilities should not be shunned but should be included in the affairs of the country as they can also play a meaningful role in the development of Botswana.

Mr Kably further called on the government to fulfill its promises of constructing Letlhakeng-Molepolole Road pointing out that the project had been on the pipeline for a long time and it was usually suspended when people least expected that.

The least I say about Letlhakeng-Thebephatshwa Road the better because that road is very bad, old and it needs a lot of work and if nothing is done before my term of office expires in five years time then I would certainly not be voted again, he said to a thunderous laughter.

Consequently he said it would take time for banking and shopping facilities to reach Letlhakeng due to bad roads.

On issues of law and order, the legislator pointed out that peace of mind seemed to be returning since the purchasing of police helicopter adding that their significant contribution have been realised.

Although, Ipelegeng programme was a welcome development, he said the administrators would spoil President Khamas initiative by delaying peoples payments.

Most of the people in the rural areas rely on Ipelegeng for survival and as such it is very inconveniencing for the administrators to delay with their remuneration.BOPA