BDP heading for implosion
The build-up to the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primary elections, known as Bulela-Ditswe has now turned into mud-wrestling as fellow democrats are resorting to dirty campaign tricks. While anxiety continues to grow within the party due to the delayed release of the writ of election, candidates especially at Parliamentary level are fighting for survival but treading with caution in fear of victimisation through the vetting process.
Botswana Guardian can reveal that the party secretariat is now inundated with complaints by aspiring candidates who accuse others of campaigning before the writ of election is issued. The BDP leadership is expected to issue the writ after completion of the ongoing process of electing structures such as Ward, Branch and regional committees. According to some of the letters that this publication is in possession of, some candidates are accused of capturing structures, especially the branch committees.
The branch committees are always critical in the vetting process for both council and constituency candidates. Information reaching this publication is that most of the branch committees are currently aligned with certain candidates, which is in violation of the party constitution and rules and regulations governing the internal party election process. The branch committees are also accused of allowing their preferred candidates to campaign freely without reprimand.
Botswana Guardian is also in possession of internal conversations and videos where democrats clash over violation of processes and procedures for the election of internal party structures. There are also accusations that there is money power play where candidates with financial muscles have captured the structures so that they could be favoured when recommendations are made to the central committee for vetting processes. Some of the constituencies where complaints have been launched are Molepolole North, Gaborone Central, Mmathethe-Molapowabojang, Tswapong South, Mmadinare, Gaborone Bonnington South, Gaborone Bonnington North and Palapye.
There are fears that if irregularities are tolerated during the election of party structures, things could be headed for worse during Bulela-Ditswe. Most of the candidates whose letters this publication is in possession of, argue that they have made reports on several occasions, some made verbally against the unsanctioned campaigns by their competitors.
The party’s Political Education and Elections Committee (PEEC) has also not been spared as the committee is also accused of supporting and protecting certain individuals who are vying for either council or Parliamentary seat. Some members are said to have conducted campaigns under the pretext that they are officials from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) with the aim of gaining access to the party members. It has been established that the new developments have also unsettled some of the current MPs who have now resorted to snubbing Parliament to safeguard their constituencies.
It is anticipated that Bulela-Ditswe will be held next month after all processes have been completed. It might also happen at the same time when Parliament will be debating Presidential Constitutional Review Report. The 59th BDP National Council held in Palapye on the 1st to the 3rd of September 2023 has resolved that the central committee shall have the final prerogative of who will stand as party candidates at both local government and legislative elections in accordance with the spirit of Article 13 (b) of the Primary Elections regulations. BDP Secretary General Kavis Kario had not responded to our enquiries at press time.