08 Oct 2014

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama says he is confident that the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) will win the October 24 general elections with a large margin.

Speaking at the party’s star rally in Lobatse on October 7, President Khama denied allegations that his party would rig elections.  He said the allegations by opposition parties that the BDP was preparing to rig elections was a strategy that they were using beause they knew that they would not win.

He said the allegations were a ploy by opposition parties to brainwash people to think that their loss would have been caused by rigging while it would in fact be a fair win by the BDP.

President Khama said he had confidence in Batswana who had always shown their love for the party. President Khama said the BDP had big plans to continue improving Batswana's livelihoods.

He expressed concern at the voting pattern of BDP members in Lobatse, noting that in the last elections, they voted for a majority of BDP councillors, but also elected an opposition party MP, saying it was an abnormality that needed to be corrected.

He appealed to Lobatse residents to stop voting for an opposition MP, saying it hindered communication, which led to developments not taking place. He appealed to Lobatse residents to vote for Mr Sadique Kebonang, adding that he had proven to be responsible.

For his part, Mr Kebonang said he was ready to take on the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) head on. Mr Kebonang said Lobatse voters had informed him that they were tired of opposition parties and that it was time to elect a ruling party parliamentarian.

He said it was critical for Lobatse residents to vote for the BDP as it was a trustworthy party, which had improved the livelihoods of Botswana.

The BDP’s campaign manager, Mr Lameck Seametso also appealed to Lobatse residents to vote for Mr Kebonang and the BDP’s 12 councillors. He said it was important to vote for the BDP in Lobatse  to ensure that development projects were implemented smoothly in the town.

He said the BDP has for a long time shown its credibility in improving livelihoods through its economic empowerment programmes. ENDS