BNF to amend constitution
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday July 26, 2016 16:16
During its recent elective congress, party commissions that made presentations told delegates that the debates regarding the constitution needed time. One of the amendments to be debated is the inclusion of BNF UB mass in the BNF constitution and that its role be clarified. “It is true our party is planning to hold a constitutional congress this year and dates will be announced.
“The truth is that during elective congresses, time is usually limited and not all party issues are addressed. Again we need legal advisors to help us during that congress when we make amendments,” BNF spokesperson Justin Hunyepa said.
He continued: “The BNF UB mass’ role is not well defined in the constitution. It should be clear in the constitution where they fall exactly and the number of delegates they are supposed to bring during congresses”.
Another resolution from the elective congress is for the Social Democratic Programme (SDP) to remain the party’s driving programme (ideology).
“The SDP was adopted in 1995 and revised again in 2009 but some of the things in it are behind and therefore it should be re-looked at. This BNF ideology advocates for quality education, unemployment and poverty issues. BNF has been known as a party which advocates for people’s rights and therefore the members want it to remain that way,” he said.
Although Hunyepa declined to reveal other resolutions from the elective congress, saying they were internal, Mmegi has learnt that the BNF has resolved that it will not disband and form one party with other parties under the Umbrella for Democratic Change model. Rather, it will continue as a separate, distinct party in the opposition party bloc.