BDP holds branch congresses
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday February 20, 2024 06:00
During the congresses, potential candidates will undergo a vetting process, which is a crucial step in determining their eligibility for the primaries. In the vetting process, branch committees play a pivotal advisory role. They assess prospective candidates and make recommendations to the central committee (CC), which holds the authority to make the final decision.
Once the CC aligns with the branch committee's suggestions, the candidate has no recourse for appeal. As outlined in the party constitution, specifically in article 2 (e) concerning vetting, the committee responsible evaluates the prospective candidate's integrity, personality, commitment to the party, ability to represent the party and the public if elected, and adherence to all other qualifications and disqualifications under Botswana's electoral laws. The constitution also stipulates that candidates failing to comply with party procedures, regulations, and guidelines during the vetting process will be disqualified from standing as candidates.
Addressing the issue, Alec Seametso, the chairperson of the Political Education and Elections Committee (PEEC), acknowledged the challenges the party faced due to "collapsed structures caused by delimitations and expressed interest from members contesting party primary elections". He emphasised that the ongoing branch congresses, which began two weeks ago, are essential to revitalising the party's structures. Seametso highlighted the importance of active structures for any party. He said for a party to be alive in an area, it is defined by its structures "since they are mandated to take care of members or any party activity in the area".
Moreover, he emphasised the necessity of transferring members to different areas due to delimitation aligning some wards. Despite the challenges, Seametso asserted that the BDP is successfully conducting branch congresses, noting the absence of complaints. He attributed this success to the party's decision to prohibit individuals with an interest in contesting primary elections from participating in the structures. "That was a good move by the party,” he said.