23 Aug 2018

All is set for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primary elections tomorrow (August 25), following their postponement due to hacking of the party’s membership registration system recently.

BDP secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi said in an interview that the party would hold its second phase of primary elections dubbed Bulela Ditswe in the 40 constituencies. 

The first phase of Bulela Ditswe was held on January 20, this year.

Mr Balopi said over 1 300 candidates would battle it out for both parliamentary and council seats across the country in over 860 polling stations, adding that everything was in place to ensure smooth conduct of the polls.

Voting is expected to start from 7am to 7pm and eligible registered voters, who have not received their voter registration cards would be allowed to use their Omang cards to vote. 

He said the voters’ roll for each polling station would contain names and the number of people expected to vote at that particular polling station, adding that there would be no new names introduced into the voters roll, following the corrective measures of the initial compromised voters’ rolls.

Mr Balopi said prior to the elections, BDP branches were given the responsibility to ensure that all was in place for smooth running of elections. 

He said voters’ rolls had been availed to constituencies for verification and submitted to the BDP electoral board.

Meanwhile, opposition Alliance for Progressives (AP) secretary general, Dr Phenyo Butale said his party would also hold the first of its three-phased primary elections this weekend. 

He said voting material was in place and that voting would start from 6am to 6pm tomorrow (August 25).

Dr Butale said he was impressed by the turnout of registered party members. 

He said elections would take place at Gaborone North, Gaborone Bonnington North, Gaborone Bonnington South, Selebi Phikwe East, Selebi Phikwe West, Lentsweletau-Mmopane, Molepolole North, Molepolole South, Francistown South, Francistown West, Maun East and Maun West.

“We however want to be true progressives and ensure that this process is completely transparent and above board and truly democratic. We also advised our members not to celebrate their wins because this is an internal party process,” he said. 

He said that consensus had been reached that constituencies held by incumbent MPs would not be challenged. ENDS