Botswana

Articles about voting issues in the Republic of Botswana.

Botswana: Inside the Botswana Democratic Party 2014 puzzle | Mmegi Online

Feb 4 2013

» The Voting News

Following the lapse of the Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) deadline for expression of interest to hold public office yesterday, the party remains tight-lipped on the list of candidates for the primaries. BDP executive secretary Thabo Masalila confirmed yesterday that a huge number of members have shown interest in contesting in the party primaries, but would not reveal the candidates. “At the moment we can’t confirm who is who. It’s confidential. There are many files and many more letters are pouring in,” he said. He stated that the list would be passed on to the central committee, which will assess it and release the names to the public, as the date for primaries approaches. He added that the outcome of the delimitation commission would have an impact on the primaries.

Botswana: Electronic voting may be introduced | The Botswana Gazette

Jan 19 2012

» The Voting News

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is floating the idea of introducing electronic voting system in the next elections. The IEC principal public relations officer, Osupile Maroba, revealed that the commission was exploring the possibility of benchmarking on countries that have the same voting system as Botswana. The IEC has been conducting workshops with relevant stakeholders, gathering views on how to prepare for future general elections and come up with ways of encouraging people to register and vote in large numbers.

Botswana: BDP considers framework for 2014 elections | Mmegi Online

Aug 6 2011

» The Voting News

A Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) central committee meeting on Monday resolved to create a framework for the 2014 general elections, Mmegi is informed. In an interview yesterday, the Secretary General of the BDP, Kentse Rammidi, said they met with sub-committees about galvanising the party faithful into the right mood for the elections.

Regarding tactics to fend off the force of a combined opposition after four parties recently announced the formation of a united front for the next elections, Rammidi said the BDP was not threatened by the development. His party was far ahead because while the opposition were still working on an umbrella model for the 2014 elections, “we are intact and are simply preparing for the elections”, he said.

Botswana: National Front Youth League backs opposition cooperation | The Monitor

Jul 28 2011

» The Voting News

The Botswana National Front Youth League (BNFYL) has said it supports the opposition cooperation involving the BNF, Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) and Botswana Peoples Party (BPP), but warned that the parties should be cautious to ensure the project succeeds.

In a report to the just ended BNF conference held in Tsabong, which has been leaked to The Monitor, BNFYL president Kagiso Ntime, who read it, told the BNF faithful his league, gives a thumbs-up to the opposition cooperation project, also indicating that it has been a few steps ahead of the mother body in that it worked in concert with other opposition parties’ youth leagues and even sponsored a resolution at the BNF congress in Mochudi last year calling for cooperation talks with other parties.

Botswana: Botswana Democratic Party elects tomorrow | Mmegi Online

Jul 12 2011

» The Voting News

BDP Regional Secretary Baemedi Kudumane said they expect thousands of delegates from around and outside the country

“We expect up to 3, 000 delegates and people from all the 57 constituencies. Also we have representatives from SWAPO (South West People’s Organisation) from Namibia, Zimbabwe African Nation Union Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) invited to the congress.

Botswana: Opposition forms umbrella against Botswana Democratic Party | Mmegi Online

Jul 8 2011

» The Voting News

The Botswana National Front (BNF), the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and the Botswana Movement for Democracy have over the last several months been negotiating a deal to form a joint front against the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

“The parties have agreed on an umbrella and are coming together pretty much in BOFEPUSU fashion,” said the source. The Botswana Federation of Public Service Unions – BOFEPUSU – recently staged an eight-week nationwide strike over salaries.

“It was really now or never and the leaders were selfless enough to realise that it needed to be done for the greater good of the nation. Come next election, we shall have just that – a choice between the BDP and the one collective,” said the source.

Botswana: Political parties to conference will discuss administration of Botswana primary elections | Mmegi Online

Jun 25 2011

» The Voting News

According to a press release issued by the publicity secretary of the BNF, Moeti Mohwasa, his party will hold its annual national delegates’ conference from Sunday 17th July to Tuesday 19th July in Tsabong. “The conference will be preceded by the Women’s League Congress to be held on 16th July where a new leadership will be elected,” said Mohwasa.

… According to the executive secretary of the ruling party, Coma Serema, the main issues on the agenda will be a discussion of the compromise list which might replace the elections if it is adopted. The BDP delegates will discuss primary elections and how best to minimise contradictions occasioned by them.