BNF Youth League Congress postponed
Youth clash over alleged plot to rig elections
Botswana National Front ( BNF) has postponed its Youth League congress which was billed for this weekend in Letlhakeng. The postponement comes after allegations of a behind- the- scenes plot to rig the elections. Last week Friday there was a clash between a lobby group led by presidential candidate, Carter Joseph and some BNF staff members at the party office. Things escalated this week Tuesday when some youth members engaged in picketing at the party office, arguing that there are plans to steal the elections. They demanded that the party leadership gives assurance that the elections will be transparent.
The BNF YL Task Force ( interim youth executive committee) led by its President Kago Mokotedi, took a decision to postpone the congress following their meeting on Tuesday. The youth league central committee says an investigation has been instituted whose outcome might affect the good standing of the congress. According to the committee there are also some complaints which they are currently looking into as the committee aims to deliver a seamless congress whose outcomes will reflect the wishes of the youth.
Mokotedi told Botswana Guardian in an interview that his committee is working on a detailed report on the number of constituencies that have registered delegates, but the last time they were briefed they only had 26 constituencies which have submitted delegates and the quorum requires 29 constituencies.
He stated that some constituencies have been requesting for an extension of the deadline, and their requests will be determined by the YL Task Force.
“I accept that time is not on our side. I cannot comment on the Thursday night drama at BNF Headquarters save to state that the matter is currently being addressed by the collective leadership and we hope that a resolution will be found soon to ensure that the party program continues. Electoral processes of the BNFYL are clearly spelt out in the YL constitution and if there is any challenge in terms of capacity to deliver and manage the elections, we will rope in the BNF Electoral board to assist. They have assisted in previous YL congresses. One thing for sure is that we cannot please everyone contesting for the YL elections, but we will do our best to deliver a credible congress within the parameters of the YL constitution. Resources allowing, I would personally prefer to outsource the management of the elections process,” said Mokotedi.
He explained that this will exorcise the ghost of mistrust, misplaced fear of bias, and toxic speculation that is being peddled around. “In my view, perceptions must be addressed, even if they are misplaced, real or perceived,” he added.
The youth league leader said he is not aware of delegates from constituencies where there is no BNF. He indicated that to the best of his knowledge, “BNF is a national party with a national footprint and to suggest that there are constituencies where there is no BNF is simply farcical and plainly foolish.”
BNF is a national party with a national footprint and to suggest that there are constituencies where there is no BNF is simply farcical and plainly foolish