57 out of 65 members of the National Assembly are elected using the first-past-the-post voting system in single member constituencies across the country, where each constituency has its own single representative. 6 out of 65 members are specially-elected MPs, nominated and confirmed by the National Assembly.[further explanation needed] In effect, they serve as a way for the majority party to increase its number of seats in the assembly.[1]
ElectionsEdit
All MP positions become simultaneously vacant for elections held on a five-year cycle, or when a snap election is called. If a vacancy arises at another time, due to death or resignation, then a constituency vacancy may be filled by a by-election.
VacancyEdit
According to the Constitution of Botswana, a seat will become vacant if:[2]
2. The member is absent from Assembly sittings for a prescribed period (at least two consecutive sessions of Parliament).
3. If a member is declared insolvent, adjudged to be of unsound mind, sentenced to death or imprisonment, or convicted of an election offense, they will cease to perform their functions immediately.
However, they will not vacate their seat until 30 days after the decision, during which they can appeal the decision. The Speaker can grant extensions of 30 days for the member to pursue an appeal, with a maximum total extension of 150 days, subject to the approval of the Assembly.
If, after the appeal process, the circumstances leading to disqualification continue and no further appeal is available, or if the time for entering an appeal expires or the leave to appeal is refused, the member must vacate their seat.
If the circumstances leading to disqualification cease to exist before the member vacates their seat, the seat will not become vacant, and the member can resume their functions in the Assembly.
EligibilityEdit
To be eligible to stand as an MP, candidates have to be citizens of Botswana, at least 18 years old, without an undischarged bankruptcy and be able to speak and read English sufficiently well to take part in parliamentary proceedings.[3] They must also obtain a nomination from at least two voters in their constituency and the support of seven. A deposit is required, which is refunded if the candidate receives at least 5% of the vote in the constituency.
TitleEdit
Members of Parliament are entitled to use the post-nominal initials MP. MPs are only referred to as "honourable" as a courtesy during debates in the National Assembly (e.g., "the honourable member for ...").
^Bauer, Gretchen (2010). "'Cows Will Lead the Herd into a Precipice': Where Are the Women MPs in Botswana?". Botswana Notes and Records. 42: 56–70. JSTOR 23237971.
member, parliament, botswana, botswana, member, parliament, individual, elected, serve, national, assembly, parliament, botswana, contents, electoral, system, elections, vacancy, eligibility, title, also, referenceselectoral, system, edit57, members, national,. In Botswana a member of Parliament MP is an individual elected to serve in the National Assembly of the Parliament of Botswana Contents 1 Electoral system 2 Elections 3 Vacancy 4 Eligibility 5 Title 6 See also 7 ReferencesElectoral system Edit57 out of 65 members of the National Assembly are elected using the first past the post voting system in single member constituencies across the country where each constituency has its own single representative 6 out of 65 members are specially elected MPs nominated and confirmed by the National Assembly further explanation needed In effect they serve as a way for the majority party to increase its number of seats in the assembly 1 Elections EditAll MP positions become simultaneously vacant for elections held on a five year cycle or when a snap election is called If a vacancy arises at another time due to death or resignation then a constituency vacancy may be filled by a by election Vacancy EditAccording to the Constitution of Botswana a seat will become vacant if 2 1 Parliament is dissolved 2 The member is absent from Assembly sittings for a prescribed period at least two consecutive sessions of Parliament 3 If a member is declared insolvent adjudged to be of unsound mind sentenced to death or imprisonment or convicted of an election offense they will cease to perform their functions immediately However they will not vacate their seat until 30 days after the decision during which they can appeal the decision The Speaker can grant extensions of 30 days for the member to pursue an appeal with a maximum total extension of 150 days subject to the approval of the Assembly If after the appeal process the circumstances leading to disqualification continue and no further appeal is available or if the time for entering an appeal expires or the leave to appeal is refused the member must vacate their seat If the circumstances leading to disqualification cease to exist before the member vacates their seat the seat will not become vacant and the member can resume their functions in the Assembly Eligibility EditTo be eligible to stand as an MP candidates have to be citizens of Botswana at least 18 years old without an undischarged bankruptcy and be able to speak and read English sufficiently well to take part in parliamentary proceedings 3 They must also obtain a nomination from at least two voters in their constituency and the support of seven A deposit is required which is refunded if the candidate receives at least 5 of the vote in the constituency Title EditMembers of Parliament are entitled to use the post nominal initials MP MPs are only referred to as honourable as a courtesy during debates in the National Assembly e g the honourable member for See also Edit12th Parliament of BotswanaReferences Edit Bauer Gretchen 2010 Cows Will Lead the Herd into a Precipice Where Are the Women MPs in Botswana Botswana Notes and Records 42 56 70 JSTOR 23237971 Botswana 1966 rev 2002 Constitution Constitute www constituteproject org Retrieved 10 June 2023 IPU PARLINE database BOTSWANA National Assembly Electoral system archive ipu org Retrieved 10 June 2023 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Member of Parliament Botswana amp oldid 1164101420, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
