Parties might not hold congresses

Recently, the country has been recording high COVID-19 death tolls. This forced political parties to make changes to their calendars since their political events attract more than 50 people contrary to COVID-19 protocols. After postponing congresses and conferences due to the general election in 2019, last year political parties were planning to finally hold such events but that never materialised as the pandemic hit Botswana in March. All political parties' central committees' mandates have expired and the members have to go and renew the mandates at the congresses and conferences. The political campaigns for party positions have been stopped and some party structures have collapsed as members cannot meet. Despite all these, some parties were already finding ways of reviving structures.

They were also ensuring that lower committees meet to hold meetings through WhatsApp calls or Zoom for the committees to be active. Other parties were also planning to hold virtual congresses and conferences. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) spokesperson Kagelelo Kentse said; “I doubt, preparing for a BDP congress takes a lot more. Between October and December, there might not be enough time but we will be guided by the Central Committee.” He said the other challenge for political parties is that virtual congresses are very expensive and need more resources.