BDP pressure weighs on Masisi
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday March 3, 2025 14:22
Initially set for July, the congress will now take place soon, as announced by both the party's central committee (CC) and president Masisi on Tuesday. The decision follows calls from the BDP members urging the leadership to organise an extraordinary congress to elect new central committee members. However, the mandate of the CC was last year extended by a year at the party national congress that was held at Tlokweng. After the party’s defeat in the 2024 General Election, members began calling for the resignation of the party leadership to make way for a new committee, blaming them for the loss. In his announcement, Masisi said they are going to hold the congress earlier than the scheduled time. 'All democrats willing to contest for Central Committee positions should adhere to party processes. No one will be allowed to deviate from these procedures.Additionally, members should read and understand the requirements outlined in the quotation,' he said. He explained that the central committee made the decision after careful consideration, recognising that it would not be prudent to make long-term decisions as the current mandate nears its end. The incoming central committee, elected during the past congress, will be responsible for making decisions aimed at advancing the party. Furthermore, Masisi announced that the party's national council, Youth, and Women's Wing congresses will be held under the new leadership. He emphasised that the steps are intended to strengthen the party in preparation for the 2029 General Election.
He added: 'The BDP remains strong and solid. No one should underestimate it. Consider our popular vote; it's only that our electoral system, First Past the Post, which we believed in, has disadvantaged us.' Although party members appreciate the CC’s decision to take such action, they are now urging it to formally communicate the development to lower structures by sending written letters. According to a source, the formal communication would enable the members to be able to prepare for constituency and regional congresses in order to choose delegates. “Formal communication helps to guide the lower structures when they are preparing for their congresses. They should know what is wanted or required by the party,” a source revealed. According to party constitution article 26.2, the national congress shall meet ordinarily every two years, and shall meet in extra-ordinary when convened by the president of the party, or upon the requisition of a majority of the members of the national council. An extra ordinary national congress shall have the same powers as the ordinary national congress in respect of issues for which it was summoned.
Furthermore, the constitution states that those who are eligible to attend include all the members of the national council, all members of the CC, Members of Parliament, all regional chairpersons and secretaries, all branch chairpersons and secretaries, all inner executive committee of the youth wing of the party and all members of the inner executive committee of women’s wing committee of the party. As for the branches, the constitution stipulates that eight delegates from each branch selected in accordance with the rules made by the CC, all councillors and all the above shall have voting rights at any national congress. It further reveals that from the addition from those entitled to attend a national congress, each constituency shall be entitled to send four observers to attend such a congress. The national congress shall have the following functions to elect the president of the party and members of the CC by secret ballot, to formulate and revise party policies and programmes, to amend, approve or adopt the party constitution, and to define, orientate and approve general policies and plans for the nation’s development.
However, the constitution also says the policies adopted by the national congress shall be binding to all members of the party and shall be obligatory for all members to adopt and implement. Again, it says such policies may only be removed or altered by the national congress.