Already, some members, including Minister of Finance Peggy Serame, who lost to Minister of Health Edwin Dikoloti, and Assistant Minister Molebatsi Molebatsi, have indicated their intentions to appeal. Furthermore, more complaints are expected, as many people were not on the voters' rolls, and in some areas, elections were held in the evening when people had already given up hope of voting. Additionally, the party says concerned members must write to the BDP within seven working days. According to the BDP secretary-general, Kavis Kario, the party's constitution now requires that any member not accepting the results or wishing to appeal must declare this when the election results are announced and must also ask one of their observers to do the same. "BDP Palapye congress did not make a resolution to waive appeals. Appeals are part of our constitution, and they enhance democracy. All the reasons behind the appeals will be heard by the appeals committee, regional ones, and the Central Committee," said Kario. Kario also said the returning officer should in his or her report indicate that one of the candidates is indicating to appeal.
According to the BDP constitution on appeals, it says: “In the event of any person complaining of their candidature having been prejudiced by any alleged irregularities in the carrying out of these regulations or by any alleged improper conduct, they shall have the right to appeal to the regional committee, except in cases where the regional committee is an interested party in which case the appeal shall be lodged with the central committee.” It adds that all appeals lodged shall be attended to within seven days of their being lodged and a decision reached within 30 days. The constitution further states that any appeals arising from the conduct of a primary election shall be lodged in writing not more than seven days after the primary election date and only provided that the appellant shall have verbally indicated to the presiding officer/returning officer his intention to appeal and the reasons for such appeal. It further says the notice of appeal shall set forth clearly and in detail, the irregularities alleged to have been committed, and/ or the reasons for his/her complaint. And that a copy of such ground shall be furnished to any person who may be affected by the appeal. The regional committee shall verify whether the appellant has sent a copy of the petition to the respondent. It also gives the respondent seven days to have replied to the allegations in writing to the regional secretary/central committee with a copy of the reply to the appellant. Therefore, the regional committee shall then consider the appeal. Furthermore, it gives anybody who is not happy with the decision of the regional committee the right to appeal to the central committee within seven days of the decision of the regional committee being made known to him/it. Again, if a complainant is not happy with the decision of the regional committee then it gives him or her the power to submit a complaint directly to the Central Committee.
