BCP hold primary elections on Saturday
Botswana Congress Party (BCP) members who want to take part in primary elections must have first registered for next year’s general elections with the Independence Electoral Commission (IEC).
BCP holds primary elections in constituencies north of Dibete Cordon fence on Saturday, which are done with vetting. The party’s primary elections rules and regulations stipulate that every voter must bring along their current IEC voters cards, otherwise they will not be allowed to vote. BCP say they have realised that only 20 percent of their members register for general election. Information and Publicity Secretary, Taolo Lucas said this would induce their members to register for general elections.
“We will be sure that what we get during the primary elections will be a true reflection of what we will get during the national elections,” he said. He said the leadership believes this bold step would also help to address voter apathy, as “our members will start to prepare for elections in advance.”
Although they are ready to conduct their primary election, not all constituencies the northern side of Dibete will hold elections. Lucas explained that for phase one elections, “we checked if all structures are in place and could allow the respective constituencies to take part in vetting.” He said experience has taught them that where structures are not ready then the election system will be compromised.
“We then decided that all constituencies, which were not ready, should be pushed to the second phase where a special writ for them will be called later as soon as we have resolved all the issues that arose in the first phase.” The phase one elections include Chobe, Gabane- Mmankgodi, Gaborone Bonnington South Mochudi West, Mogoditshane, Okavango Ramotswa Selibe Phikwe East, Selibe Phikwe West and Palapye.
However the latter will not have its elections this weekend because their voters’ roll was sent late to party headquarters for verification after the constituency committee took its time to compile and return the rolls to the Central Committee. In tomorrow’s elections two seating MPs -Gibson Nshimwe and Bagalatia Aaron face an uphill battle from challengers, Simasiku Mapulanga in the Chobe region and Sam Dave Kavindama in Okavango.
Kavindama is the younger brother to the late former area MP Joseph Kavindama.
The Selibe Phikwe West has four candidates in Obakeng Kanthaga, former Trade Unionist Seji Wale, University of Botswana Lecturer, Ditlhapelo Lefoko Koorapetse and former Councillor and the Constituency office employee Nzwaligwa Nzwaligwa. Observers say the real battle is between Nzwaligwa and Keorapetse.
Kgolegelo Liberty Kabelo, Benjamin Bagayi and Kgoberego Nkawane are lined up for the Selibe East battle. Here pundits say the real contest is between Councillor Bagayi and Nkawana who originates from Bobonong and last contested the general elections under the BCP in Gaborone South Constituency. Nkawana a former game warden could well be rewarded for agreeing to draw nearer his home village in order to pave way for party deputy general secretary, Akanyang Magama whose strong base has always been Gaborone South even during his days with Botswana National Front (BNF).
Magama is one of the 14 members who had sailed through to the general elections unopposed. Others are BCP president, Dumelang Saleshando (Gaborone Central), Lucas (Bobonong), Morgan Moseki (Francistown East), Vain Mamela (Francistown South) Motsei Rapelana (Gaborone North), Montwedi Mokhurutshe (Lerala- Maunatlala), David Tshere (Mahalapye West), George Lubinda Maun West, Isaac Mabiletsa (Mochudi East), Never Tshabang (Nkange), Kesitegile Gobotswang (Sefhare-Ramokgonami), Nthuse Chimbise (Shashe West) and Philip Bulawayo of Tati West.
When the Primary elections comes south at a date to be announced, a tough battle will ensue between Health practitioner Odirile Timothy Matsuokwane and Institute of Development Management (IDM) lecturer Nthusang Mozambia Dibe for the Gabane- Mmankgodi constituency.
Attorney Dutch Leburu a long time party activist has placed his head to dispose of former Bank of Botswana employee, Abbey Buti Chengeta who has so far contested the general elections twice in the constituency without success. In Mochudi West Councillor Segobye Bokole will battle against Alfread Ramono Pilane who contested the last general elections for the council seat as an independent.
The youthful maverick radio sport journalist, Tumiso McDonald Rakgare will finally have his dream come true when battles it out against the seasoned Paul Mudongo who lost the general elections to the Botswana Democratic Party’s Patrick Masimolole.