BNF Central Committee to hear complaints of cadres
The Botswana National Front Central Committee (BNF CC) meets this week to address and resolve any complaints arising from constituents about constituency allocations. While the exact number of complaints has not yet been established, a thorough review is expected.
The Monitor has been informed that Kopano Office has received some written complaints from constituencies such as Kgatleng East, Mmadinare, Mochudi West and Mmopane/Lentsweletau.
Tlokweng and Gaborone Central constituencies are also counted amongst those troubled by dissents over ward distributions.
The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), a two-party coalition between the BNF and Botswana People’s Party (BPP) recently released a controversial list of the constituencies they have been allocated for the 2024 General Election.
The BNF emerged as the biggest beneficiary with 26 constituencies and the BPP was allocated five constituencies while cooperating partners the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) walked away with 14 constituencies with the Alliance for Progressives (AP) getting 11.
According to officials, the constituencies and wards were allocated based on each party’s strengths in the areas, which other members are contesting saying the criterion was not followed to the letter.
A source told The Monitor that there is a popular view that Kgatleng East, which has been allocated to the BPP should have instead been retained by the BNF as the most visible and popular party in the area.
In recent years, no other party apart from the BNF and Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has won the constituency in a general election. Those opposed to the allocation of the constituency to the BPP contend that the Motlatsi Molapisi-led party barely has any following or party structure in Kgatleng to deserve to manage the constituency. It is against this background that those opposed to the BPP managing Kgatleng East want to know the criterion which was used to arrive at the decision.
Speaking to The Monitor, BNF chairperson, Dr. Patrick Molutsi said the Central Committee will be the final arbiter in the matter of complaints around constituency allocations.
“Any complaints will be taken into consideration and a final decision will be made in the best interests of the party and its constituents. The central committee will advise on the allocations, but the final decision will not be made until all parties have had an opportunity to negotiate and discuss their relative strengths. This process is designed to ensure that all parties are represented fairly in the general elections,” Molutsi said. He also revealed that not only BNF members have complained but other parties as well have written similar complaints to their central committees about other areas in which they have a political interest.
While BNF secretary-general, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa is on leave, he confirmed that the Central Committee will meet sometime this week to address all important issues.