09 Feb 2017

Secretary general of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Mr Botsalo Ntuane says his party is ready for Tlokweng bye election.

He said during a press briefing that the party will be represented by Mr Elija Katse following primary elections which he said went well.

On the issue of contesting against a unified opposition, Mr Ntuane said that they entered into  extensive consultations to ensure that the party does not end up on a losing end.

He said the party is aware of the issue of opposition unity and its implications and at all party meetings they look at this issue and map up strategies that will ensure that BDP is victorious at all elections and retain governance in the 2019 general elections.

Mr Ntuane said at the moment, he cannot reveal the party strategy as he fears that the opposition parties would work on that strategy and find ways of attacking BDP.

Mr Elijah Katse, Parliamentary candidate for the fourth coming Tlokweng bye-elections said he became active in politics around 2007 and is well known in the Tlokweng constituency under the BDP ticket.

Mr Katse said during the preparations for the BDP primary elections, five candidates expressed interest in contesting for the constituency and because all found themselves fit to represent the party, they resolved to stage primary elections so that the constituents could nominate candidate of their choice.

He noted that primary elections were held and he emerged the winner with other contestants not opposing the results.

Mr Katse thanked and appreciated all the democrats who elected him and urged those who did not cast their vote to vote for him in the coming bye-elections.

At the same press briefing, it emerged that this Friday, BDP will be holding its 21st National Elective Youth Congress where the party is expecting all 57 constituencies to participate by bringing 12 delegates and the theme

of the congress will be ‘Our Structures Our Strength’ and at the same congress, the party is expecting 700 delegates from the 57 constituencies around the country.

The party is also expecting about 1 500 tourists to throng Tsabong for the congress who among others will be coming from parties from neighboring countries. ENDS