BDP approves six candidates for Tonota North

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Wednesday July 14, 2010 00:00

The party's secretariat subsequently issued a press release opening the six-horse race for the BDP ticket for the seat that fell vacant when the constituency's MP, Baledzi Gaolathe, died recently.

The candidates that passed vetting and will now contest primary elections on July 24 are ex-councillor and businessman Ipuseng Skin Chikanda, ex-deputy permanent secretary Lewis Ntabeni Malikongwa, ex-councillor Molomo Ali Maano, ex-BNYC executive director Fidelis Molao, former Nata-Gweta MP Olifant Mfa and businessman Onkabetse Daniel.

'The candidates are now free to campaign using the house-to-house method and Bulela Ditswe primaries,' says the statement signed by BDP Executive Secretary Dr Comma Serema.

No applicant was disqualified by vetting that took place on Monday, the statement adds.

Among other things, vetting looked at the track record of individual applicants, whether they are members of the party in good standing and whether the applicant had a criminal records. It was also a pre-requisite that candidates should have registered for the 2009 general elections.

'The vetting process has helped the party to identify people from whom we can choose,' Serema says. 'It also means that we have a pool of politicians to choose from.'

He reminded the candidates to note that there will be only one winner at the end of polling day.

'The candidates should note that it's the members of the party who will come up with one person at the end of the day and the losers must respect the will of the people,' Serema emphasised.