- To re-table motions on electoral reforms as the official opposition
- Expects UDC to support its reforms as it did in the 12th Parliament
- Spokesman says UDC won’t change its earlier positions
SESUPO RANTSIMAKO
The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) will test the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change’s (UDC) commitment to its ideology by re-tabling a motion that it supported in the 12th Parliament.
This came to light in a radio interview with BCP president Dumelang Saleshando who said the UDC ought to show its commitment to what it stood for when in the opposition by supporting the motion when the BCP returns it to Parliament.
BDP numerical strength
“As the BCP, we are going re-table the electoral amendment for ballots to be counted at polling stations,” he said. “Further, we will table a motion calling for direct election of the president.
“Our hopes lie in the ruling UDC to supporting this motion because they agreed with us when they were in the opposition. They will have to support this motion for it to see the light of day.
“The UDC has always supported these, but they always failed to pass due to the Botswana Democratic Party’s voting strength in Parliament. If the UDC changes, it is up to the voters to reprimand them with their votes.
Transparency and reliability
Saleshando emphasised that as the official opposition in the 13th Parliament, the role of the BCP will be to hold the ruling UDC to account when it does not deliver on its pledges to Batswana.
In the 12th Parliament, Saleshando tabled a motion that called for the Electoral Act to be amended in order for ballots to be counted at polling stations as a means of enhancing transparency and reliability of the electoral process.
However, although the BCP had the support of the UDC, the motion did pass due to the numerical strength of the BDP in Parliament them.
Saleshando also brought another electoral amendment motion that called for direct election of the president in which it also had the support of the UDC.
National cohesion
However, as with the ballot counting one, the BDP used its numerical strength to defeat the motion when it was put to the vote.
Reached for comment, UDC spokesman Moeti Mohwasa said the focus of his party is on building a united nation characterised by tolerance and free flow of ideas.
“We will not oppose our earlier stated positions even if brought by opponents,” he said. “It is our hope that we will all focus on building national cohesion.”