The BDP will not collapse – Kentse
Chakalisa Dube | Monday October 23, 2023 06:00
It is anticipated that members of the party will quit the structures in large numbers to contest the party primaries. This will be in line with a resolution that was passed by the party’s special congress in Palapye last month.
The resolution prescribes that prospective candidate of primary elections structures who are also office bearers of the Youth and Women’s Wing structures, regional committees, and sub-committees of the central committee (CC) should also resign from their positions.
Only CC members are not mandated to resign. The BDP recently issued an expression of interest inviting those who want to contest the party primaries to submit their names. Already, there are developments which suggest that many people might ditch their leadership positions to contest the primaries, something that could relatively weaken or disrupt the party.
For example, in Francistown, the party’s regional person and four other members of the committee have officially expressed interest to contest the primaries and are therefore expected to resign, something that observers say could throw the region into confusion. Another example is that of former radio personality, Michael Morapedi who has officially registered to run as a parliamentary candidate in Gaborone North. This inevitably means that he should quit as a member of the party’s communications sub-committee.
Responding to Mmegi questions, Kentse partly acknowledged that mass resignation of party members from leadership positions can prove catastrophic. He however, said the party has lined up several initiatives aimed at ensuring that the running of the party is not entirely disrupted should many people quit to contest the primaries.
“The expression of interest ends on the 4th of November 2023. A day later, the expectation is that those who are in leadership positions should quit their positions. This will be followed by a considerable window period where our structures will be mandated to fill the key leadership positions,” he said.
Kentse also emphasised that there will be a proper handing over exercise by those who would have quit to contest the primaries to guarantee the smooth administration of party activities. He added that he believes that the BDP has a pool of talented people who can take over from those who would have resigned to take the party forward. “The resolution was not taken impulsively.
In the main, we wanted to improve the uprightedness of the party primaries, but we were very much aware that we have a pool of capable people who can take over in the event those in leadership positions step down to contest the primaries,” he noted.
The resolution to bar those who hold party positions was taken to restore the integrity of the ruling party primaries. There was a growing concern that members who contest the primaries while holding party positions often have an undue influence on the primary election process.