UDC faces uphill battle at Tshimoyapula by-election
Chakalisa Dube | Wednesday October 4, 2017 17:31
The by-election, which has been characterised by a low-key campaign, is slated for the weekend. It will pit the UDC against the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). The UDC has fielded Modala Modala while Katholo Tapologo will represent the BDP at the by-election.
Chibuya Dabutha who has defied her own party, the Botswana Congress Party (BCP), will contest the elections as an independent candidate. The BCP contested the ward at the 2014 general elections but now it is backing the UDC, as it is now part of the opposition coalition.
“We tried to reach out to as many people as we can. The problem is that we are seriously under resourced and as a result we have failed to reach out to some of the potential voters. The BDP colours have been more visible within the ward because the party appears to be well resourced. “What is even worse is that we get most of our logistics from Serowe which makes campaigning more expensive,” UDC campaign manager Reggie Koee said.
He added that during the holidays some UDC members from other parts of country were at the ward and they helped improve the visibility of the party. “We have hope that their input will contribute positively on election day.” As election day comes closer, Koee said that the UDC has roped in key figures to address rallies. BCP secretary general Kentse Rammidi will address a rally tomorrow-late afternoon.
On Friday UDC president, Duma Boko and BCP spokesperson, Dithapelo Keorapetse will lead a star rally at the ward. Meanwhile, Solomon Dikgang, the BDP campaign manager has stated that his party’s campaign has been smooth.
“The only challenge we have come across more often is that some voters have lost their voting cards. We have been assisting them to renew the cards,” Dikgang said.
He added, “We are almost done with campaigns. We have covered much ground. I am very confident of victory. On Friday the party chairman Mokgweetsi Masisi will wind up the party campaign with a star rally at Tshimoyapula”.
Traditionally Tshimoyapula is a BDP stronghold.
Although the UDC has dominated the by-elections held since the 2014 general elections, the BDP has not lost a by-election where it has fielded a compromise candidate. The BDP settled for Tapologo as their compromise candidate for the weekend by-election.
Dabutha who has been visible in the social media was not available for comment. Last month he was accused of using underhand tactics in a bid to win elections. She was said to be illegally campaigning under the colours of the BCP although she was not sanctioned to do so by the IEC.