BDP's consensus candidate system comes under fire

Some Botswana Democratic Party members have complained that the Party’s Presidential decision to have consensus candidates is one way by their leader to finally reward his stooges with hefty positions before his term expires. Speaking to this publication on condition of anonymity, BDP members fear that the nomination of such candidates will be vetted by Khama, which will disadvantage those not in his good books.

Their grievances follow the party’s recent decision to suspend all primary elections in all areas they do not have any representation, a decision they argue is in bad faith as they suspect that Khama wants to reserve such positions for those in his inner circle.

They cited the example of the party’s recent decision to opt for Eric Molale in the Goodhope Mabule constituency where he was embarrassed by Kgosi Lotlamoreng of the Umbrella for Democratic Change in a past by-election. Khama is accused of not wanting his favoured ministers to lose primary elections like it happened in the past general election.

Political analyst Ndulamo Morima said he has long resented the BDP’s consensus candidate system since in most cases, those regarded as consensus candidates usually belong to the dominant faction of the party who normally represent the interest of the leaders of the faction. He said that usually those elected through consensus method turn out to be rebellious once they have attained power as they rediscover themselves.

“Such candidates will normally destroy democracy within the party as they will be in allegiance with their masters which is normally the president and his Secretary General instead of those who voted for them into political office. “The party’s stability also will tend to be artificial as those handpicked can end up saying various things which can de-campaign the party like in the case of Member of Parliament for Francistown West Ignatius Moswaane, who has never been a consensus candidate anywhere but is always quick to call a spade a spade without blinking an eye,” Morima explained.

Efforts to solicit a comment from BDP Secretary General Mpho Balopi hit a snag as at press time, his mobile rang unanswered. A text message left on his mobile had also been unattended at press time.