14 Oct 2018

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) appeals committee is set to deal with the 76 cases emanating from the second phase of its primary elections, dubbed Bulela Ditswe, held in August.

BDP secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi told a media briefing recently that the party’s appeals organ was under instruction from the central committee to give all aggrieved candidates the benefit of the doubt and fair arbitration.

Out of the 76 appellants, he said 49 contested for council seats while 27 were parliamentary contestants.

Mr Balopi said so far they had settled 171 protests out of the 1 247 Bulela Ditswe participants who were vying for council seats and that there were 49 appeals.

Regarding parliamentary seats, he said out of the 140 candidates who took part in the primary elections, 42 protested out of which 27 appeals had been lodged.

Mr Balopi said compared to the 2013 primary elections where 236 protests were registered, this year’s numbers were minimal.

He also said the BDP had clear provisions on how party members should conduct themselves.

“I am aware that some members enjoy riding on misconduct, but I want to warn every democrat that as per Articles 6 and 7 of the BDP constitution, those who entertain misconduct would be brought to book,” he said.

Mr Balopi said the party was aware that some members were conniving with the media in accelerating their wishes outside the confines of the BDP and its code of conduct.

Describing the BDP as a formidable force, he said custodians should keep it that way for the benefit of future generations. ENDS