BDP members want compromise Gaborone candidates
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday August 21, 2023 06:00
The Saturday meeting has on the table two key proposals from the constituencies of which one is pushing for compromise candidates in constituencies they fear could be won by opposition.
The other proposal is that the regional leadership be dissolved to allow those with ambitions to contest independently from the regional leadership, Mmegi has learnt. While the regional committee does not vet out candidates, some members feel that those in regional leadership can exert influence. “Some constituencies have held their congresses and are coming up with motions and resolutions that will be discussed at the regional congress. Some are going to pass while some may not.
This is the preparation for the extraordinary congress that will be held at Palapye on September 3, 2023. Again, the aim of the congress is to elect delegates who will attend both congress and the council. The regional committee must get mandate from the members. Usually, the central committee is the one which comes up with the topics for the congress or which gives us hint, but that does not block members from making their own proposals,” the source said. The source further revealed that the members' contention is that Gaborone constituencies are so dicey and it is not guaranteed that the party may retain them in the 2024 General Election.
Therefore, some concerned BDP members made a proposal that Gaborone constituencies should not go for party primary elections known as Bulela Ditswe as it divides the members even further. Still, on Bulela Ditswe, the members strongly believe that there is not enough time to allow the process to run smoothly since it has its own challenges. On the issue of the region, the members' view is that those who wish to contest the primary elections should be removed from key committees.
Their belief is that the members who want to contest for primary elections should not be allowed to sit on those committees, a year before the election since they contribute to party instability. “We want the members to leave those positions earlier so that such key committees like the branch and Political Education and Elections Committee (PEEC). Some people can disadvantage others because they sat on these committees and they will have more information than their opponents,” another source said.
GC regional chairperson, Lebogang Mosope confirmed that they will be holding a regional congress in preparation for the Palapye extraordinary congress and council. “This is a yearly annual event since we are supposed to elect delegates to go and represent us. Not everyone is expected to attend or make a contribution to congress unless being a delegate.
We have not received motions and resolutions from constituencies yet, they will submit them during the congress on Saturday for discussion and final decisions will be made. On Saturday resolutions will be taken to party office on Monday,” Mosope said in an interview on Wednesday.