The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has said that following dissolution of Parliament by His Excellency the President on 5th September 2024, the tenure of the members of the Independent Electoral Commission appointed in 2014 came to an end in terms of section 65(5) of the Constitution.
According to the Secretary Judicial Service Commission, Beaulah Mguni, while in terms of the same section, the tenure of the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, who was appointed effective 1st September 2022 continues.
She said: “Therefore, on 6th September 2024, the Judicial Service Commission met to appoint six(6) members to the Independent Electoral Commission in accordance with section 65A of the Constitution. Having received a report from the convener of the All Party Conference which stated that the All Party Conference was not able to agree on a list of persons to recommend for appointment as members of the Independent Electoral Commission, the Judicial Service Commission proceeded to appoint the members in terms of section 65A(2) of the Constitution. The section provides that
“where the All Party Conference fail to agree on all or any number of persons referred to in subsection (1)(c) of this section, up to dissolution of Parliament, the Judicial Service Commission shall appoint such person or persons as are necessary to fill any vacancy.”
Mnguni said “There being no list of persons recommended by the All Party Conference, the Judicial Services Commission, in exercise of the powers vested in it by section 65A(2) of the Constitution has appointed the underlisted members of the Independent Electoral Commission with effect from 6th September, 2024 –
Kennedy Thuto Piet – Member (Legal Practitioner)
Maotoanong Lepedung Sebina – Member
Uyapo Ndadi – Member
Elizabeth Malebogo Masire – Member
Thebeyame Edward Tsimako – Member
Wame Triphinah Thanke – Member
Mnguni said In terms of section 65(2) of the Constitution, the above Commissioners shall hold office for the next two (2) successive lives of Parliament.
