BDP orders Bulela Ditswe re-run in four wards
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday August 9, 2024 12:41
The wards are Matebele-Ramodibe in Kgatleng East, Maruapula in Gaborone Central, Kgale View in Gaborone Bonnington South, and Medie in Lentsweletau-Lephephe constituencies which resulted in a deadlock. This comes hardly after the BDP central committee (CC) instructed all regional committees to complete their primary election recommendations this week and also set a date for re-runs of primary elections. However, BDP electoral board chairperson Peter Siele stated in an interview that this will not affect the outcomes of parliamentary candidates. 'This is just for interested parties in council seats.
They had a tie, so a re-run is necessary to determine a candidate for the general elections. The date is set for this weekend because the party has a tight schedule and is concurrently handling other issues, including appeals,' he said. 'Therefore, election matters need to be concluded promptly so campaigns can begin.' Siele added that the reason the results do not affect the parliamentary ones is because the ties did not impact those outcomes, as they were voted on separately. Additionally, he emphasised that this campaign is specifically for those seeking to represent the party as councillors and cautioned those who had already contested to refrain from assisting those who will be contesting.
Furthermore, he noted that this contest is an internal party process and should be treated as such. Moreover, Siele stated that all concerned structures would be engaged as they prepare for the re-elections adding that the wards would use the existing voters rolls, not a new one. In a letter dated August 5, 2024 and addressed to branch secretaries for Kgatleng East, Gaborone Central, Gaborone Bonnington South and Lentsweletau-Lephephe constituencies, Siele advised them of re-run dates. “Following the outcome of the primary elections held on the weekends of July 20 and July 27, 2024 which resulted in deadlocks, the CC has decided that the re-elections should be held on August 10, 2024 for the concerned wards only,” he stated.
Siele said the electoral board had commenced preparations in line with CC decisions and the branches had been requested to secure polling stations within the said wards as per the previous arrangement. Meanwhile, over 100 members who were contesting for council seats had lodged appeals with different regional committees and decisions for the said appeals would be determined today. However, the recommendations made by regional committees are not final as the CC has the power to overturn them or agree with them. The CC decisions are final and binding to members. Again, the BDP constitution grants a complainant the right to appeal the decision of the regional committee if he or she is not happy with it to the CC within seven days.