BDP CC mandate expires, seeks renewal
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Friday August 30, 2024 10:08
The CC was tasked with handling appeals stemming from party primary elections. Failure to resolve these appeals by the deadline would mean the CC could not continue addressing them, as they would no longer have the constitutional authority to do so. The current CC was elected at the Tsabong National Elective Congress in 2022.
BDP spokesperson, Kagelelo Kentse revealed that the CC would seek an extension of its mandate at the party congress on Saturday. The party had previously decided that the CC should not be elected during a general election year, opting instead for the elective congress to be held the following year.
“The CC is not going to be dissolved; rather, it will request an extension of its mandate. Of course, it cannot make any constitutional decisions until the extension is granted. All constitutional mandates were completed before the CC’s deadline. The CC met from Sunday to Tuesday to finalise crucial matters,” he explained. Kentse emphasised that, in the meantime, while awaiting the extension of its mandate, the CC will continue performing its other functions. Moreover, he highlighted that, as the party’s central body, the CC is responsible for ensuring the success of the upcoming congress. Additionally, Kentse noted that the CC has operational duties beyond its constitutional responsibilities. The party spokesperson said there is no way the party could not function since operational decisions must be taken.
Furthermore, he confirmed that only the election of the party President will take place this year, with the election of CC members scheduled for next year. Finally, he added that the CC must ensure that all constitutional procedures are followed to guarantee a smooth Congress.
According to Article 30 of the party’s constitution, regardless of whether the party is in power, all CC members, except the President, must be elected every two years at the National Congress. The party president, however, is elected according to the provisions of Article 29.
Some functions of the CC include supervising the day to day implementation of party policies and programmes as directed by the national council, regulating and controlling activities of all organs of the party, subject to the further provisions contained herein, and setting membership and subscription fees.
It is also responsible for summoning regular or extraordinary meetings of the national council and national congress.
Additionally, it must take action to protect the security and development of the party and the State. Meanwhile, the CC is expected to ensure that preparations for presidential elections run smoothly.
Notably, Masisi faced challenges from Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi in 2019 for the party presidency which was sparked by a lot of controversies and even led to a court case.
Typically, the party’s special congress not only determines campaign strategies but also selects the individual who will be the public face during these campaigns. Furthermore, the congress identifies the person who will assume the party presidency if they win the elections.
Although the BDP has 14 regional committees, it is important to note that all have nominated President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s name. Additionally, the BDP will launch its party manifesto at the congress.
According to the BDP constitution, article 29 reads; “when the party is in power, the president of the party shall be elected by secret ballot at a national congress of the party called by Central Committee during every general election year. Each region may nominate and submit one name of an aspirant candidate in good standing from any region to the secretary general not less than 24 hours before the commencement of the national congress.”
It further gives the secretary general the power to publish the names of the aspirant candidates on the notice board for the benefit of every delegate at the national congress.