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Source: The Sunday Standard (Gaborone)
Following this morning's issuance of a writ of elections, by Botswana President Lt. Gen. Ian Khama, announcing Friday, October 16th, 2009, as the date for the upcoming general election, opposition parties have called on the President to declare election day a public holiday.
Legislative support for the proposed election day public holiday seems likely, as calls for this measure have been made by both the opposition and the governing party, as well as the Principal Public Relations Officer of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), since the issue came to the fore 2 years ago (20-Jul-2007, 22-Aug-2008, 26-Jan-2009, and 14-Mar-2009).
There is a provision in the Electoral Amendment Bill presented to Botswana's Parliament by the Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, late last year (27-Nov-2008), that would make all future election dates into public holidays. But, if the upcoming election day is made a public holiday, then it would probably be through and executive Presidential decree, as time for a legislative declaration is rather limited.
Related links:
•
Botswana bank holidays and public holidays (current
year)
• Botswana bank holidays and public holidays (news and updates)
• Worldwide
bank holidays and public holidays news updates (September 2009)
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Botswana Could Declare October 16 Public Holiday