BDP congress promises fireworks
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday August 7, 2023 06:00
Fireworks are expected at the upcoming special national congress billed for next month as the party is divided on many critical issues affecting the future and the upcoming elections.
Mmegi is reliably informed that among the top issues that are dividing the party is the insistence by some Members of Parliament who want Bulela Ditswe to be suspended.
Incumbency protective mentality seems to be causing internal strife with potential Bulela Ditswe candidates pushing the leadership not to bow to the pressure of incumbents.
“Some incumbent MPs’ contention is that the party should look into constituencies that are critical or on the verge of being lost to opposition parties. They believe that crucial constituencies such as Gaborone ones, Selebi-Phikwe and some in the Central District should not go for primary elections. Their argument is that primary elections do contribute a lot to divisions during general elections. Therefore, the party should minimise all things that could bring divisions amongst members in the constituencies. Their fear is that the party should not downplay the fact that opposition parties are strong in some of the constituencies even if they are divided. The motion might be brought by some constituencies during party national council,” information reaching Mmegi suggests.
Our source has said the move seems not welcome by some members who are eyeing to contest for certain constituencies as they feel that members must be allowed to choose a candidate they want. The source further revealed that the move might divide the members even more.
Moreover, the concerned MPs are also appealing that each case should be judged by its merit since the dynamics of each constituency differ.
The members are concerned that the loss of by-elections does not portray the party in a good image and something needs to be done to redeem its image.
Another concern that the concerned MPs are worried about is the interference of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) within the party, which they believe that it contributes to party instability.
Political Analyst Shirley Monyatsi said: “It is clear that the BDP goes to its special national congress or special congress divided. Some are going to both the national council and special national congress to try to push their own agenda. Some incumbents are not happy and party internal issues are leaking. There is no peace within the party hence the leakage. This is because some people within the party want the party leadership to take their sides or decisions to favour them. BDP is not like opposition parties and it cannot afford to be divided during this time where the country is about to go for its general elections. The party leadership must be strict and firm on some of the decisions they make without fear or favour.”
She said the BDP leadership should not make the mistake of not going to the primaries unlike other parties because people are judging it differently.
In addition, she said as the ruling party, BDP should be seen to be adhering to democracy.
She said failure to do so, may cost the party to lose some constituencies since some people want to vote for the representatives they have chosen.
Monyatsi said political parties should always be mindful of what voters are saying or want.
She said voters do lose trust in the parties when they even fail to let them fulfil their right to cast a vote.
The political analyst said the voting process at the internal party processes helps voters to screen some people and choose the ones that they believe can represent them better.
She further revealed that one of the crucial issues that the party leadership should deal with is indiscipline within it which seems to be growing slowly.
She continued: “The BDP leaders must deal with indiscipline within it. Some of its members have started to attack it openly and it does take time to deal with the issue especially if it is an MP or a councillor. Failure to deal with the matter quickly also tarnishes the party image or brings it into disrepute.”
Monyatsi said disciplinary procedures for members must all be dealt with equally and in the same manner.
Another University of Botswana-based political analyst Adam Mfundisi said: “The phenomenon of opportunism in politics is widespread in political parties in Botswana including the BDP. The Special statement is booked for September 2023, comes behind a bed drop of the BDP losing support of the voters. Generally, the people are losing trust and faith in the BDP and its leadership. The by-elections that occurred after the 2019 general elections reflect the loss in popularity of the BDP.”
Mfundisi said only its being in government keeps its grip on power because voters are disillusioned with the government, BDP and its leadership. He, however, said numerous promises made prior to the 2019 General Election have not been fulfilled including the Constitution reform which is to deal with the fundamental law of the land.
On another issues, he said primary elections are crucial in nurturing intra-party democracy in any political party.
He said for the BDP to suspend or cancel primary elections toward the 2024 General Election will be unfortunate.
He said to assume that party unity can be enhanced by nullifying primary elections is a fallacy.
Moreover, stating that the opposite is likely to occur where voters will revolt and further promote factionalism within the BDP.
He continued: “To bank on incumbency to win elections in 2024 may not be advisable because electoral fraud and rigging that likely took place in the 2019 polls may not be repeated as opposition parties are developing strategies to stop such unethical behaviour in the electoral process. In effect, the current crop of BDP MPs and councillors are liabilities to the party because of their inability to articulate the interests, needs, aspirations, and priorities of the people.”
The analyst said they have turned into instruments of the Executive thereby neglecting their representative responsibilities and obligations.
Mfundisi said in spite of the numerical strengths of the BDP in Parliament, the opposition MPs overwhelm them.
He also revealed that BDP backbenchers in Parliament have been weakened by the Executive and have become instruments for praising the President and the government.
He said they have forgotten their role of oversight of the government.
On different issues, he said political party loyalty and discipline have eroded their powers to engage the Executive and demand accountability.
“The BDP is highly likely to face stiff competition in the urban areas particularly Gaborone, Francistown, Selebi-Phikwe, and other urban centers. There is a likelihood that Gaborone constituencies will lose to the BDP is it does not bring in new blood in the contest. Currently, Gaborone is poorly represented both in Parliament and council. Generally, voters in the city are disillusioned with the calibre of politicians in political office,” he said.
Still on this issue, he said the BDP and its leadership are going into the 2024 General Election amidst rampant poverty, unemployment, inequality, corruption, poor service delivery, criminality and diseases.
He said without credible and talented candidates in the coming elections, the BDP will be defeated at the polls and that will be the end of its life.
In that regard, he said the suspension or cancellation of primary elections in a competitive political environment will lead to the demise of the BDP. While he said opposition political parties and the voters are more conscious of their rights and responsibilities in the electoral process.
He said in a competitive electoral process, the BDP with its current crop of MPs and councillors will likely lose the election.
Further stating that Primary elections empower ordinary voters to determine the most suitable candidate to represent them in the elections.
He said this motivates voters to participate in the general elections by voting for the candidate they have nominated. Mfundisi said voter turnout may rise if voters are allowed to choose their preferred candidate without interference from the party bosses.