Parties walk out of IEC meeting in protest

RELEBOHILE TSOAMOTSE

MASERU – Some political parties yesterday walked out of an Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) meeting to validate three election Bills due for tabling in parliament. They said they were unhappy with the IEC’s conduct during the meeting and the bills discussed as most are contained in the famous Tenth Amendment to the Constitution also known as the Omnibus Bill. Representatives who addressed a media briefing after walking out said the facilitator and chair of the meeting, IEC chairperson Mphasa Mokhochane, snubbed dissenting views and pushed members into agreeing with what was being proposed.

“We were basically being asked to rubber stamp everything that was presented to us despite our concerns,” Thabo Thelingone of the African Ark said. Despite insisting on being provided with the objectives of the Political Parties Bill as it was the first Bill to be discussed, he said, their pleas fell on deaf ears. Thelingoane also said they requested to see minutes of the previous to no avail.  “We believe that Mr. Mokhochane is pushing a certain agenda,” he said. The Bills that were being discussed include the Political Parties Bill 2024, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Bill 2024 and the National Assembly and Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.

Litabe Mohatle of Basotho Economic Empowerment (BEE) said the aggrieved parties noticed that most of the Bills are part of the Omnibus Bill and advised that it was wise to wait for the passing of the Omnibus Bill “lest we interfere with its contents.” He cited clause 66B of the Omnibus Bill which he said speaks to issues contained in the discussed Political Parties Bill. However, he said they were taken aback by Mokhochane who was disregarding every point they raised and was not giving them a chance to speak.

“If that Bill passes in parliament, it belongs to IEC not to political parties,” Mohatle said. Other speakers at the briefing said they needed more time to discuss the Bills and are calling for a representation of two members in the meeting. They said they represent 20 political parties that choose to walk out of the meeting because of the manner in which the dialogue was conducted.