TUTUME: The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) manifesto for the 2024 general elections will be launched before the end of the year, according to party leader Dumelang Saleshando.
Saleshando made the announcement yesterday when addressing BCP members in Tutume, where the party held its two day annual conference, which officially comes to an end today. Local political parties often launch their respective manifestos during the election year, but Saleshando emphasised that it is vital for the party to launch its election pledges much earlier. He pointed out that the manifesto will be launched before Christmas. “It is important for us to start preparations for the 2024 general elections earlier. The process of deciding on our key election pledges earlier than usual will make sure that our message is well understood by our members and the voters. We have to be very proactive in terms of preparing for the general elections.” He added that the BCP manifesto will be anchored by strategies meant to create employment for Batswana in various sectors of the economy.
“The BCP believes that the country can attain full employment. We will meticulously demonstrate how this can be achieved in our manifesto.” Unemployment, most among youth is the biggest challenge in Botswana at the moment and it is estimated to be above 20 percent. To prepare for the 2024 elections, the BCP also announced that it will commence the process of candidate selection by conducting primary elections next month and in September. To make the ‘BCP a more friendly party to the participation’ of women and youth in elections, the leadership has decided to reduce the fees payable to be a candidate for the general elections to 50%. Previously women and youth were offered a one third discount.
