Boko told UDC members in Mahalapye recently that their National Executive Committee (NEC), which now includes the newly welcomed Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) had decided to give Members of Parliament (MP) and councillors up to September 26 to decide where they stand and submit expression of interest letters. Boko indicated that interested councillors and MPs should write letters to the UDC indicating whether or not they will contest the 2024 General Elections on the UDC ticket. Boko further indicated that those who submit the expression of interest will automatically become the party’s candidates in the 2024 General Elections. Explaining the decision to Selebi-Phikwe constituents on Saturday, Boko said this was long decided through a resolution back in 2018. Boko said in 2018 when the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) was expelled from the coalition, councillors and MPs were protected and given a chance to remain in the UDC. He said the same process will be applied in the current situation with the BCP. Boko said protecting incumbent BCP MPs and councillors is only reasonable because the latter will not have backing from their parties if there were to be a primary election. He said the 2018 resolution ends confusion because currently, they have a new member in BPF. Boko said as they begin talks with BPF about constituencies they should be clear about the ones available. “September 26 should decide which constituencies are up for grabs. We are not doing this to sabotage anyone, it is the proper procedure,” Boko said. Boko further emphasised that they are not forcing anyone to write letters. “When the deadline comes and we don’t receive a letter from certain councillors and MPs we will simply tell the BPF that those wards and constituencies are available,” he disclosed. He added that they will meet and decide how they will divide the available constituencies.
