The special sitting of Parliament will today discuss the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Bill No. 4 of 2024).

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Pono Moatlhodi, stated in an interview that assuming every member participates in the discussion, the sitting is expected to last around 30 days.

He mentioned that after the Bill was read for the first time, it was referred to Ntlo Ya Dikgosi and will now be tabled for a second reading, after which legislators will begin their discussions.

Mr. Moatlhodi explained that after all legislators have contributed to the Bill, it may be presented to the public in the form of a referendum before the President signs it to endorse the Constitutional amendment.

Minister for State President, Mr. Kabo Morwaeng, first tabled the Bill in mid-April, referring it to Ntlo Ya Dikgosi for traditional leaders to make their submissions before the second reading.

In December 2021, President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi established the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Review of the Constitution. This commission was tasked with gathering input from Batswana across the country to assess the Constitution's strengths and weaknesses and determine necessary amendments based on public feedback.

This exercise marked the first comprehensive inquiry into the Constitution, following previous reviews that focused on specific sections.

After holding meetings in all 57 constituencies, the commission submitted a report to the President with 93 recommendations: 31 related to the Constitution, 39 to primary legislation, and 23 to policy.

Proposed amendments include enshrining the right to health, education, and work in Clause 2 of the Bill, while Clauses 5 and 6 seek to protect intersex persons and persons with disabilities from discrimination.

Other proposed amendments in Clauses 8, 12, and 14 aim to ensure that a retired President who has served an aggregate period of 10 years is not eligible for re-election to any political office.

Clause 11 of the Bill proposes changes to Section 58(2), increasing the number of specially elected Members of the National Assembly from six to 10. These Members of Parliament would also lose their positions if they change political allegiance after election.

Clauses 17, 18, and 19 propose amendments to Sections 77, 78, and 79(1) to enable the Constitution to provide the power for Parliament to enact necessary legislation, ensuring that the selection criteria for Members of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi are neutral and not based on tribal lines.