Build-Up To Polls Gathers Steam

Lebogang Mosikare | Monday April 29, 2019 14:07

Recently, Alliance for Progressives (AP) launched its manifesto in Gaborone while Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) launched its own on Saturday.

Another major player in the upcoming general elections, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) will follow suit next month.

During former president Ian Khama’s presidency, BDP parliamentary candidates and Khama did not participate in the countrywide radio debates that were organised by private radio station, Gabz FM.

The reason for BDP’s non-participation in Gabz FM debates was unclear.

Although BDP snubbed the Gabz FM debates despite being formally invited, the party did participate in the countrywide parliamentary debates that were hosted by state-owned radio station, RB 1.

As anticipated, however, Khama did not debate with other presidential aspirants, which reinforced perceptions that he was afraid of being grilled.

Some political experts were of the view that BDP’s poor showing during the 2014 general elections may in part be attributed to its snubbing of the Gabz FM debates plus Khama’s absence from both Gabz FM and RB 1 debates.

Fast-forward to today.  This time around, BDP is leaving no stone unturned.

The BDP’s chairperson of the communications and international relations sub-committee, Banks Kentse, has confirmed that the party and its leader would take part in state and private radio stations debates if they were to be held again.

“President Masisi would surely take part in the radio station debates if they are organised again. Our president is not afraid of debating with leaders of other political parties.

The debates would offer him a grand opportunity to further explain our party’s manifesto to the electorates.

He is an astute person who would attract more voters to BDP during the debates,” an optimistic Kentse, who added that Masisi would show his competitors a clean pair of heels, said.