BPP leadership faces constitutional scrutiny
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday August 10, 2026 06:00
Although the BPP constitution provides that the central committee should be elected every three years, the party has not held elections since its national delegates conference in 2015.
“All members of the central committee shall be elected on three- year term of office subject to re-election. However, if the central committee elections coincide with the national General Election in any given year, the central committee elections shall be postponed to the following year,” section 6 (n) of the BPP constitution states.
As a result, the current leadership is effectively serving a third consecutive term without a fresh mandate from delegates.The issue has become increasingly contentious as members question why the party has repeatedly failed to convene the national delegates conference, which section 5 of the BPP constitution identifies as the party's supreme decision-making organ. The conference is responsible for, among other things, electing the central committee and providing delegates with an opportunity to debate the party's direction and hold leaders accountable.According to the constitution, where Central Committee elections coincide with a general election year, they may be deferred until the following year.
However, critics argue that the constitutional provision was intended only as a temporary measure and not as justification for indefinitely postponing elections.Instead of allowing delegates to elect a new leadership, the party has, over the years, relied on co-opting members into the central committee to fill vacancies. This practice has attracted criticism from some members, who argue that co-option cannot replace a democratic electoral process and risks undermining the legitimacy of the party's leadership. Consequently, the prolonged delay in holding the conference has intensified debate within the party, with some members accusing the leadership of disregarding the constitution while consolidating its hold on power.
The concerns have been heightened by disciplinary action taken against members who have openly challenged the leadership.Former BPP Youth League president was recently expelled from the party after repeatedly questioning the leadership's decisions and calling for greater adherence to the constitution. His removal was viewed by some members as an attempt to silence dissent rather than address the concerns he had raised.
More recently, Francistown West Member of Parliament Mokwaledi Moswaane was suspended from the party after expressing interest in contesting the party presidency. While the party has cited disciplinary reasons for the suspension, some members believe the action is politically motivated and linked to his leadership ambitions and outspoken criticism of the current administration.
Supporters of Moswaane argue that expressing interest in contesting for the presidency should not constitute misconduct in a democratic political party. Instead, they contend that leadership contests are a healthy feature of internal democracy and should be encouraged rather than discouraged.The latest developments have further fuelled perceptions of divisions within the BPP at a time when the party is expected to reposition itself ahead of future political contests.Initially, the party leadership announced that the national delegates conference would be held this year, raising expectations among members that they would finally elect a new Central Committee after years of postponements.
However, those hopes were dashed when the conference was postponed without a new date being announced.The absence of a revised timetable has left many members uncertain about when they will have an opportunity to elect new leaders or debate issues affecting the future of the party.Political observers say prolonged delays in holding elective conferences often weaken confidence in party institutions and create uncertainty over the legitimacy of leaders who continue to occupy office beyond their prescribed terms.They argue that political parties are expected to uphold the democratic principles they advocate nationally by respecting their own constitutions and ensuring leadership renewal through transparent elections.
For some BPP members, the continued postponement of the conference represents more than an administrative delay. They argue that it denies delegates their constitutional right to choose leaders and participate in shaping the party's future.Others have questioned whether reliance on co-option rather than elections complies with both the letter and the spirit of the party constitution, insisting that delegates, not the leadership, should determine who occupies positions in the Central Committee.
The controversy has also renewed debate over accountability within political parties and the importance of constitutional compliance in maintaining members' confidence. While most political parties in Botswana have convened elective congresses or conferences in line with their constitutions following the 2024 general election, the BPP remains one of the few yet to renew its leadership through a delegates' vote.
The continued delay has inevitably placed the spotlight on the party's leadership and intensified calls for the national delegates conference to be convened without further postponement. As pressure mounts, party members are expected to demand greater clarity on when the conference will take place and whether delegates will finally be afforded the opportunity to elect a new Central Committee in accordance with the party constitution.
Until then, questions surrounding constitutional compliance, leadership legitimacy and internal democracy are likely to remain at the centre of debate within one of Botswana's oldest political parties. The National Delegates Conference shall compose of : all members of the central committee, all members of the national executive council, four delegates from each regional committee, four delegates from each constituency committee, all regional chairpersons and secretaries, all constituency chairpersons and secretaries, eight delegates from each branch, four delegates from each affiliate organisation, two representatives from the youth league and two representatives from the women’s league.
The constitution further states that the national delegates conference shall have the power to formulate policies of the BPP and to review and assess the overall activities and developments of the BPP between conferences.
It also said the national delegates conference shall have the power to confirm amend, repudiate and/or revoke any decision made by an organ o the BPP. Futhermore, the constitution says the National Delegates Conference shall evaluate the work of the central committee, consider and adopt reports and recommendations thereof. It also says the national delegation conference shall have the power to adopt and amend the constitution of the BPP; a majority of two thirds of the voters shall be required for such purposes. Again, the national delegates conference shall determine the programmatic orientation of the Party and decide on all important matters of internal policy and the basic courses of activity in international affairs. “Except as may be provided for in this constitution the national delegates conference shall elect the Central Committee of the BPP.A regular meeting of the national delegates conference shall be held annually. The national delegates conference shall be called by the central committee three month before the scheduled date,” the constitution states.
However, it states that the central committee when calling for the holding of the national delegates conference, shall make known the agenda, which it proposes to guide the work of the national delegates conference.