BDP Plays Down Khama's Jagged Effect
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday August 13, 2018 14:06
Khama has been out de-campaigning some of the party’s head honchos.
Party secretary general, Mpho Balopi hinted to this when fielding questions at a press conference at Majestic Five Hotel following the party’s primary elections candidate briefing meeting at the venue on Saturday.
Balopi said the former president, as every citizen of the country is at liberty to do as he wished as long as it was within the confines of the laws of the country.
He said the former president, as a member of the BDP understood the principles of the party and would not breach them.
“When he left office, the former president promised citizens that he will continue to work for them and that is what he is doing. I am not aware of his agenda, but from my understanding what he is doing around the country is the assignments of his new office, the office of the former president,” Balopi said.
At the presser, the secretary general was briefing the media on the resolve of the briefing following a hacking incident that prompted the party to postpone primary elections from the initial August 4 date. He revealed the primaries are set for August 25, 2018. Balopi said the conference has agreed in unison with the new date.
He said the voters’ roll will be ready to be unfurled to the constituencies on August 15 for verification. On August 17, he said the voters’ roll would be returned to the electoral board for audit before the primaries.
He said the conference has also addressed several issues that have been outstanding regarding the bye-elections.
Balopi said the electoral board and the party’s central committee resolved that members that are in the voters’ roll but without membership cards would be allowed to vote using their Omang.
Those whose identity cards have expired would be allowed to use receipts from the registration office. “Our members are happy with the resolution of the conference and they are also happy with consultations from the central committee. “They have been answered and those that could not be answered have been directed to the rightful people that would answer to their concerns.”
In a random interview in the backdrop of the meeting, party members expressed contentment with the outcome.
Kediemetse Kgobe said he wanted to get first-hand information on what transpired to render a postponement of the primaries.
“We get a lot of things from the media and I am glad the party has addressed us. This consultation was very important and it also brings us together.
“I am also happy for the party’s position in allowing the use of identity cards and receipts. It makes the process open and stress-free,” he said. Solomon Dikgang praised his party leadership for resolving the problem of membership cards that has constantly been an Achilles’ heel in the primary elections. He said the leadership has played its part and the ball was now in the party member’s court to work together in the primaries and beyond.
“This hacking issue was a blessing in disguise. We have come here and we have resolved even more problems that have always troubled us in the primary elections. This conference was very fruitful and I am happy with the outcome.”