BDP members warned against premature campaigning, backbiting
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday February 7, 2023 06:00
On Saturday, Seametso told The Monitor that even though there are no formal complaints they are worried about certain behaviour from some of their members who do not follow Bulela Ditswe rules and regulations.
“Some of the members who are eyeing certain constituencies to represent the party are busy dividing members in the area claiming to be campaigning for the coming Bulela Ditswe,” Seametso said. “There is no member who is allowed to campaign before the election dates are open or before the party makes an announcement. Currently, the vetting process has not yet even begun at the constituencies.
As it stands, those who wish to contest should wait for the due process to begin. If they continue then they might be disqualified for their actions.” He said some of their structures are complaining of certain behaviour that is being displayed by some members who want to show expression of interest when it is opened for them to do so by the party.
Moreover, the PEEC chairperson said what worries him most is that some are de-campaigning their Members of Parliament and councillors who won their seats during the 2019 General Election. Seametso bemoaned that divisions amongst some members aspiring to be party candidates for 2024 elections may cost the party at the polls.
He said their training that was held on Saturday was part of the preparation for the party primary election and also an induction to new PEEC members. The BDP primary elections will be held this year after their National Council. Recently, BDP president, Mokgweetsi Masisi warned some party members to desist from attacking each other during campaigns in the primary elections.
“It must be noted that we need each other’s support after primary elections. If you attack one another or use dirty campaigns know that it will be difficult for you to ask for one member's support. We cannot win government if we are divided and not cooperating,” Masisi said last week in Shoshong during area Member of Parliament, Aubrey Lesaso’s official welcome.
“Even those who are failing to help party members attend party activities must know that members will not vote for them in primaries,” he added. He made it more evident to members that he wants the party's popular vote to increase in the 2024 General Election to 60% or 70%.
The BDP won the general elections after securing 29 national assembly seats in 2019, representing 51% of the vote.