BDP bid for congress compromise flops

Correspondent | Thursday June 8, 2017 15:57

 

The ruling party goes for a bruising electoral battle in Tonota from July 7 to 9, which is expected to pit Mokgweetsi Masisi and Nonofo Molefhi in a two-way race for the chairmanship.

BDP secretary general, Botsalo Ntuane told journalists on Tuesday that the efforts for a compromise had largely fallen flat.

“The effort for consensus candidature has not borne much fruit as only three candidates have pulled out of the race.

“Everyone has a right to contest and we shall see if there will be anymore dropouts before the congress,” he said.

Besides the main event at the congress, Ntuane will seek to defend his position against Mpho Balopi and Jacob Nkate. The BDP is also expected to discuss and experience the Electronic Voting Machine in Tonota.

Meanwhile, Ntuane said June 28 would be the final day for submission of names of delegates who will take part in the Tonota congress. Initially structures were to submit the names by June 23.

The secretary general also told the media that those holding positions in branch committees and want to contest for primaries had to resign by July 14.

“Those who are members of branches and cell committees who want to contest for primaries have been given a further 14 days to avoid disrupting delegations for the congress,” he said.

Those wishing to contest for primaries in the 19 opposition held constituencies are expected to have submitted their names by July 1, 2017, he said.

Ntuane also hinted that he would like Central Committee terms to be extended to five years from the current two-year term. He however said only the party membership could decide that.

“It is a common practice in many parties across the world that the committees run for five years, but unfortunately for us we have to do whatever we want to do in two years,” he said.

Ntuane said the issue was discussed at a congress in 2008, but democrats rejected the move. He however said it was up to the democrats to bring it up again.