BDP undecided on primaries
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday November 29, 2017 17:36
This comes hardly after the BDP suspended its primaries pending a court case, which blocked civil servants from participating in parties’ primary elections. The party central committee is expected to make a decision next Monday on the matter.
The party will hold its primaries in opposition-held constituencies, particularly in Gaborone and surrounding areas. “Our primaries could have long started if the court case was not there, but we had to wait for it. If a civil servant appears on the voters’ roll, then the person would not be allowed to vote. Preparations are going well at the party office. The party caucus did not make a ruling on the matter, but the party central committee will decide on it,” BDP communication chairperson, Thapelo Pabalinga, said.
The BDP had planned to hold its primaries last month, but could not. Mmegi has learnt that there would not be primaries for some of the Gaborone constituencies because some members have agreed on a compromise. “The primaries will be held mostly in the wards because the members could not agree on the compromise. The campaigns for parliamentary seats where there are no primaries have already started. The only problem will be in areas where primaries will be held. It is not clear whether the party has already finished compiling the voters’ roll or not,” the source said.
Mogoditshane will be contested by Tshepang Mabaila, Patrick Masimolole and Kgang Kgang while Gaborone South will be contested by Meshack Mthimkhulu and MP Patrick Ralotsia. Gaborone Bonnington North will be contested by Annah Mokgethi and Tlokweng by Thulaganyo Segokgo.