22 Jul 2024

Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) held its first batch of primary elections in 36 out of 61 constituencies across the country, with the remaining 25 slated for next weekend.

In an interview with BOPA, party spokesperson, Mr Kagelelo Kentse indicated that even though there had been some challenges, they were satisfied with the way the primary elections generally went.

“The major challenge we faced was that of late distribution of ballot papers to polling stations as most of them arrived way after lunch. This led to some of the constituencies even resorting to start elections on Sunday morning instead of Saturday. Apart from that, everything else went well,” he said.

Mr Kentse said they also faced a minor challenge of finding transport for polling officers, but said the issue was handled well and never got out of hand, and that by the time most elections materials got to the polling stations, the polling officers were already there.

Mr Kentse said so far the party had not received any formal complaints from any of the candidates who lost. Responding to speculation that some party members could not vote because they did not appear on the voters rolls, Mr Kentse said nothing official concerning the issue has come to the party office either.

“We also heard those rumours but until something comes to the office in the form of formal writing, we will treat the issue as just rumours,” he said.

.Mr Kentse said the party was confident that next weekend’s elections would be smoother in the remaining 25 constituencies owing to the fact that they have taken valuable lessons from this past weekend.

Meanwhile, winners of the weekend’s elections are: Amogelang Mojuta (Selebi-Phikwe East), Lesedi Phuthego (Serowe South), Goabaone Ntapu (Mahalapye West), Diana Kartze (Kgalagadi South), Mabuse Pule (Kgatleng East), Bagalatia Arone (Okavango East), Thebe Setlalekgosi (Mahalapye East),   Bontsi Monare (Gaborone Central), Johane Thiite (Gantsi),  Karabo Gare (Moshupa/Manyana), Polson Majaga (Nata/Gweta), Simon Kealotswe (Francistown West), Moatlhodi Mahupu (Kgalagadi North), Aubrey Lesaso (Shoshong), Simon Moabi (Tati West), Solly Reikeletseng (Francistown South), Thato Elias (Maun North),  Kefentse Mzwinila (Mmadinare), Bashi Kgakge (Molepolole North), Pelotshweu Motlogelwa (Lobatse), Derrick Tlhoiwe (Gamalete), Thapelo Letsholo (Kanye East), Liakat Kably (Letlhakeng), Thato Kwerepe (Maun West), John Motsumi (Jwaneng/Mabutsane), Thato Tshweneyagae (Charleshill) and Onkabetse Daniel ( Ngange).   Ends