BDP registers 22 appeals for parliamentary candidates
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday August 6, 2024 09:09
Although three candidates from 36 constituencies were unopposed, 22 members from different constituencies have filed appeals. Among those who have appealed include Minister of Finance, Peggy Serame, Minister of Minerals and Energy, Lefoko Moagi, Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Molebatsi Molebatsi, and Member of Parliament for Gaborone Central, Tumisang Healy amongst others. According to the BDP constitution, one is require to appeal within seven days after the announcement of the results is made by the returning officer. Again, it requires a member to make his or her intention known by the returning officer. Some appeals have been directed to the party's central committee (CC), while others have been submitted to the respective regional committees.
In an interview, party secretary-general Kavis Kario, yesterday emphasised the importance of adhering to party procedures.
“Appeals should generally be directed to the regional committees, as stipulated by the party constitution. However, for appeals to be considered by the CC, there must be sufficient reasons and evidence to justify why the regional committee could not handle the case,” he said.
Kario also expressed concern that some members are attempting to bypass the established party structures. He stressed that such behaviour will not be condoned, as all members are required to follow the constitutionally outlined procedures. The BDP secretary-general also explained that appeals should generally be directed to the regional committees, as stipulated by the party constitution. Kario also expressed concern that many members do not understand the proper procedures.
He noted that some members write appeals without following the correct process, and others do not know why they bypassed the regional level. Another issue of concern to the party Secretary General is that some party members do not know the party constitution hence they end up making such mistakes.
He added; “ it is important to know the party constitution and culture. If one wants to contest for elections, firstly he or she must learn how it operates among others. It is sad that members do not know the procedure or what party constitution requires one to do if they feel aggrieved.” Mmegi has learnt that close to six members have appealed directly to the CC.
Kario said all those who might have written directly to CC, it means they have good reasons why they skipped regional committees and if they have not done so, then their appeals would be dismissed.
Furthermore, the party secretary -general said the CC might choose an independent temporary committee to deal with appeals, especially the ones directed to them as CC. He said the regional committees would also be empowered on how to deal with all appeals.