The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) will over the weekend hold its national council and extra-ordinary congress in Palapye. One of the contentious issues ahead of the gathering is the party’s primary elections known as Bulela Ditswe.
Over the past weekends, the party’s regional congresses have been grappling over whether or not Bulela Ditswe should be held in constituencies where the BDP is incumbent.
While some regions strongly advocate for the democratic process to take its course, on the other hand, there are those who feel the party cannot afford to enter into divisive primaries months before the 2024 General Election.
We find it ridiculous that the BDP as the ruling party, the one that through their founding fathers promoted multi party democracy when it was not fashionable, could possibly consider throwing out democracy. The process is in most cases marred by controversies and leads to some people sabotaging the party. It is worth noting that all incumbent Members of Parliament and councillors were not the only ones that showed interest in 2019, but because they had worked hard and convinced people to support them, they made it.
Now, why can’t those who supported them and those who feel they can do better be barred from contesting? That would be an insult to democracy by a leading party and could bring more harm than good. As much as it is believed that those who lose could sabotage the party and bring instabilities, the same could still happen if they are not given a chance to contest. They could still sabotage the party, even the more.
While in Tsabong for their congress last year, President Mokgweetsi Masisi told party members that the newly elected central committee (CC) of the BDP and some members in the regions and branches should not use their positions to uplift their statuses ahead of the primary elections. It would seem like not enough has been done on that as the process is marred by controversies across the country.
It is there where focus should be, improving the Bulela Ditswe process, make sure that all members of the party abide by set rules and regulations. This would go a long way in ensuring that the process is free and fair for all to participate and be able to accept their fate without feeling robbed.
Therefore, the party is urged to engage fruitfully with their members and come up with solutions that will place their party above their individual interest. We further call on members of the party and indeed all political parties not to be just bystanders, but participate in shaping leaderships of their respective parties as they could ultimately leaders of the nation who ought to be thorough in carrying out their mandate.
