21 Feb 2019

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has scheduled its special congress for April 5 in Kang. 

Briefing the media on February 20, the BDP secretary general, Mr Mpho Balopi, said the special congress would have one agenda item of voting the party president. 

Contestants for the presidency position so far are the incumbent and state President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi and Serowe South MP, also former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi.

Mr Balopi said the party’s 14 regions would nominate a candidate of their choice at the regional congresses prior to the party special congress. He further stated that aspiring candidates would forward their names to the secretary general 48 hours before the elections day.

“A region will nominate a name of a candidate as a collective vote and we will not necessarily be voting as individuals. This is in accordance with BDP constitution,” he said.

According to party constitution’s article No: 29.2, each region may nominate and submit one name of an aspirant candidate in good standing to the secretary general not less than 24 hours before commencement of the national congress.

Out of the 14 regions, eight regions have held their regional congresses to prepare and six regions were yet to hold their congresses, according to Mr Balopi.He said following the special congress, the party would from April 6-7, conduct its national council to review party policies and discuss other issues

Mr Balopi said the BDP had also resolved to set its national congresses for the July holidays. 

He also said the party would launch its manifesto in Gaborone in April 27.

On other issues, Mr Balopi hailed the process of salary negotiations for this year, which he said was characterised by calmness and that efforts to fight corruption under the presidency of President Masisi were making a headway.Mr Balopi also said it was commendable that Batswana had accepted the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Service into the mainstream like other government departments. ENDS