17 Jul 2014

Member of Parliament for Bobirwa, Mr Shaw Kgathi has warned BDP members in Lerala against voting for independent candidates in the upcoming general elections.

Launching councillors for Lerala East and Lerala West wards on July 13, Mr Kgathi told Lerala residents that if they wanted President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama to continue ruling the country, they should vote for BDP parliamentary candidate for Lerala/Maunatlala constituency, Mr Prince Maele and his councillors.

BDP would be represented at Lerala East and Lerala West wards by Mr Kabo Ketshogile and Gabagopole Sebele respectively.

Mr Kgathi said for BDP to win in the coming general elections it should have many parliamentarians therefore voters should put their trust in the BDP.

He said opposition parties had not made a mark in Lerala/Maunatlala constituency, but he however said the constituency was facing a challenge from independent candidates who defected from BDP.

BDP members should however remain unshaken by independent candidates and should continue voting for BDP, he added.

He said his party had come up with different programmes aimed at uplifting the livelihoods of Batswana such as LIMID, Poverty Eradication, Youth Development Fund, Tirelo Setshaba, Ipelegeng and ISPAAD.

He said should constituents not vote for BDP, all these programmes will be terminated hence this will increase the level of poverty as well as dependency on government.

Mr Kgathi implored residents of Lerala to vote wisely and ask independent candidates to inform them on programmes they would put into place if voted into power.  

MP Kgathi further warned BDP members against making a mistake of voting for independent and opposition candidates, adding that their votes should be directed to the BDP.

He said over 15 000 people in the constituency have registered to vote in the coming general elections, adding that Mr Maele would be voted to Parliament by a good number of people, including his councilors.

In addition, he advised the candidates to be respectful and truthful to their electorates as well as give them feedback on issues affecting them.

The MP urged councillors to work hand in hand with their respective MP in the development of the constituency, adding that councilors’ role is to bring developments at ward level whilst parliamentarians are charged with national projects and making laws.

He said where councilors incur challenges they should seek help from the area MP who will in turn seek help from the minister. The two parties, he added should know their responsibilities and work together harmoniously.

For his part, Mr Maele thanked Mr Kgathi and BDP members for their support and promised to continue serving the people of Maunatlala/Lerala constituency.

Mr Ketshogile and Mr Sebele also asked Lerala residents to vote for them in the coming general elections.  ENDS