05 Feb 2017

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) leader Mr Duma Boko  has said all the four opposition parties have agreed to contest elections under UDC banner.

Speaking at the UDC launch in Gaborone on Friday February 3, Mr Boko said they had also agreed to allocate 17 constituencies to Botswana Congress Party.

These are Ramotswa, Mahalapye West, Sefhare/ Ramokgonami, Palapye, Selebi Phikwe West, Selebi Phikwe East, Mmadinare, Bobonong, Francistown West, Francistown East, Ngami, Nkange, Nata, Okavango, Chobe, Maun East and Shashe West.

Botswana National Front (BNF) has been allocated 22 constituencies, Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) has 14 and Botswana People’s Party (BPP) allocated four.

Mr Boko said during the negotiations they had also agreed that they would have a unitary brand with the four parties contesting the elections under one symbol, adding they had all agreed to use royal blue as their colour.

Talking about the organisational structure, he said the new UDC will have a president, two vice presidents with different sets of roles, the chairperson and other portfolios in a 16 membernational executive committee.

UDC, he said, would have its national conference in July that would coincide with conferences of the contracting parties, to formally adopt, debate, and discuss some of the issues 

BMD, leader Mr Ndaba Gaolathe said their aim was not only to unite political parties but to unite the country as well.

Mr Dumelang Saleshando said all the constracting parties were committed to the success of the  UDC.

BPP representative, Mr Mbaakanyi Lenyatso said the four parties were living the vision of ‘great pioneers’ like Phillip Matente, Kenneth Koma, Motsamai Mpho and Kgalemang Motsete “who saw Botswana as a great nation with diverse tribes that were meant to unite and make a great country.” BOPA