With only few days left before the elections of new political leadership and committees in the newly established districts, the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is yet to caucus for the elections in Okavango and North West Districts.
The elections which are scheduled for the 24th January 2023 follows the establishment of new districts which saw Maun Administrative Authority (MAA) merging with the North West District Council and Okavango Sub-District upgraded to a fully-fledged district council now referred to as Okavango Sub District.
Opposition parties (BNF &BCP) which forms the majority of the NWDC have caucused to unite for the council elections and vote back the current leadership. It remains unclear how the events will unfold in the Okavango as all parties have not openly discussed their next move.
BCP Secretary General, Goretetse Kekgonegile confirmed that opposition parties for both Okavango District and NWDC have decided to put their differences aside and support each other in the coming council elections.
He noted that the decision was made by the central committee since the mandate of opposition is to outsmart the ruling party from all government sittings.
The current NWDC chairman Kebareeditse Ntsogotho also previously stressed that opposition councillors in the district have been working together despite the coalition differences at the UDC.
“We were the first councillors across the country to write to the UDC central committee to brief us on what was happening and that led to the party President Duma Boko coming to Maun to address us,” Ntsogotho said. Ntsogotho said they are going into the council elections with the same energy to retain their seats.
On the other hand, the current NWDC leader of opposition (BDP) Moetetsi Mogalakwe revealed that they yet to meet and caucus on whom they will field in the coming elections.
“We are currently waiting for a party regional meeting which we are expecting anytime soon from today (Thursday). This is where we will caucus on who will contest for both Okavango and North West Districts elections,” Mogalakwe told this publication.
Mogalakwe said though they are in an opposition dominated council they must not leave opposition unopposed for the elections adding that there may as well take advantage of the feud between BCP and BNF.
The Okavango District Council has a total number of 18 councillors – 9 councillors from each camp, NWDC on the other hand has a total number of 29 councillors with 10 being from BDP and 19 from the opposition.
