BDP inundated with appeals
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday August 19, 2024 06:00
Indeed, reports are already circulating that many party members who have appealed are dissatisfied with the decisions made by the regional committees. For instance, some members argue that the committees failed to follow due process by not calling them to defend themselves against the accusations. Furthermore, others accuse the committees of failing to properly inform the CC of the decisions they made. Nevertheless, according to the BDP constitution, members still have the right to appeal regional committee decisions to the CC.
Gaborone region
A letter, dated August 12, 2024, written by Gaborone region reads: ”Gaborone region executive committee has received and presided over issues of appeals from appellants within the Gaborone region following the recently held BDP primary elections. The appeals were from the following constituencies; Gaborone Central, Gaborone South, Gaborone Bonnington North and Gaborone Bonnington South. Executive committee appeals process has been concluded in accordance with Clause 12 of the regulations for conduct of primary elections and consistent with other relevant clauses of the BDP constitution.” Furthermore, it said the Gaborone region executive committee has escalated and submitted recommendations and findings on appeals to the CC for consideration and final decision on the way forward.
Gaborone Bonnington South
The region said the conduct by incumbent Christian Greeff had compromised the integrity of the entire election and violated the rules and regulations of Bulela Ditswe, which are articles 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 18. The Gaborone region said it is wrong for Greef to have been campaigning onsite and issuing merchandise to democrats waiting to vote during primary elections. It said the branch committee members violated the primary election rules by effectively interfering with the process of election. The region then ruled for a re-run after it concluded that Greeff’s contender Alfred Madigele brought enough evidence against Greeff. This comes after Madigele appealed the outcome of the results. Greeff had won by 901 votes, Madigele 856 and Pelonomi Bantsi by 506 votes.
Gaborone Bonnington North
The region observed that even if the appellant Poloko Pitwane had raised serious allegations, which have grounds for appeal, he had publicly accepted the results before the returning officer. In an interview with regional chairperson, Lebogang Mosope, they are still consulting on the matter if they should make a ruling on it or not. “We are still seeking guidance since Pitwane has accepted the results. He has never pointed out before the returning officer, his intention to appeal. It is a dicey situation,” he said. Pitwane was battling it out with Annah Mokgethi who won with 587 votes, Ookeditse Malesu with 227 votes, Pitwane with 522 and Rosemary Rantsime with 68 votes.
Gaborone Central
As for Gaborone Central, the chairperson Mosope said the incumbent Tumisang Healy raised a complaint about the winner, Bontsi Monare’s conduct. He did not make an appeal. It is in accordance with the BDP Bulela Bitswe code of conducts for members to behave well. He said they have taken the matter to the disciplinary committee. Furthermore, the regional chairperson, Mosope, said they had four appeals from the ward levels.
Kweneng West Region
Molepolole North
Mmegi has learnt that the region has called for a re-run in this constituency. This comes hardly after Oabile Regoeng appealed the outcome of the primary election results. Regoeng complained that Mahetlwe ward did not get its voters roll of more than 520 people except for one cell Matematema which had 111 people only. He also said the voters’ roll for the other three cells; Mogatlwane, Mmamarobole and Mahetlwe, were never made available, thereby denying over 85% of registered voters the right to vote. Bashi Kgakge won parliamentary primaries via 1, 774 votes against Regoeng with 1, 535 votes, Phetso Kgosiemang got 643 votes and Kabo Sebele with 596 votes.
Takatokwane
The region has dismissed an appeal which was made by an appellant, Ngaka Ngaka, regarding the outcome of the results. They felt that the reasons raised by the appellant were not strong enough to warrant a re-run as some allegations he raised are not backed by evidence. The incumbent Friction Leuwe had won the primary election via 2,037 against Ngaka’s 1,877 votes. However, Ngaka has refused to comment on the matter. The Kweneng West region chairperson, Pinkie Motswakhumo, said: “I cannot comment on the decision we made. The party office is the one that can comment on that.” Meanwhile, the BDP secretary-general, Kavis Kario, told Mmegi that the regional committees are supposed to give appellants and respondents copies of recommendations that had been made to CC. If the appellants or respondents are not happy with their decision, then they will appeal to the CC, which would make a final decision. If one does not appeal, then the regional committee decision will be final.