BDP clears two for Sephophe primaries
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday September 2, 2026 06:00
The by-election comes following the death of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) councillor, who died after a short illness. The central committee has since cleared two candidates, Same Senkanang-Ditshoto and Barulaganye Moloi, to contest the party’s upcoming primary elections for Sefhophe Ward in Mmadinare. This was confirmed by the party executive secretary, Ame Makoba, in an interview on Sunday.
“We have two candidates for the party primary election. I urge party members to always abide by the rules and regulations of the party constitution. “The members are aware of how the vetting process is done. This is the time members must unite for us to win the ward,” he said.
The move by the party brings an end to speculation surrounding the candidates who would be allowed to participate in the race.
Local Government and Traditional Affairs minister, Kethalefile Motshegwa, is expected to announce the writ for Sephophe Ward.
Botswana Constitution requires that an election for a council seat be held within three months following the death of a councillor, or his or her resignation.
An official directive signed by BDP secretary-general, Kentse Rammidi on August 27, 2026 stated that the central committee finalised the vetting process following a meeting held earlier that day.
Meanwhile, the central committee has made a specific appeal for the two candidates to engage in dialogue before the primary election.
The leadership has encouraged Senkanang-Ditshoto and Moloi to consult each other and consider whether one of them would voluntarily withdraw from the race.
“According to the directive, such an arrangement could pave the way for one candidate to contest unopposed, in what the party leadership views as being in the interest of unity,” Rammidi’s letter states.
The call for consultation reflects the party’s efforts to minimise internal divisions that can sometimes arise during primary elections, particularly where competing candidates campaign aggressively against one another.
Primary elections often provide party members with an opportunity to choose their preferred candidate.
However, they can also expose internal differences, with unsuccessful candidates and their supporters sometimes remaining divided after the contest.
The central committee’s intervention could therefore be aimed at ensuring that competition between the two candidates does not damage the party’s structures or relationships within the Mmadinare Branch.
The directive does not, however, indicate that either candidate has agreed to withdraw from the race. Unless one of them voluntarily steps aside following consultations, both Senkanang-Ditshoto and Moloi remain cleared to contest the September 12 primary election.
The contest will consequently give BDP members in Sefhophe Ward the opportunity to determine which of the two candidates they prefer to represent the party.
The party is expected to monitor the campaign process as the election date approaches, particularly to ensure that candidates comply with the established procedures and avoid conduct that could create unnecessary tensions.
Again, the party's central committee has the power to disqualify anyone who goes against the rules and regulations of the party's primary elections.
For now, the clearance of the two candidates formally sets the stage for the Sefhophe Ward primary election, whilst the central committee’s call for dialogue leaves open the possibility that the contest could be resolved before voters go to the polls.