As the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) goes for its elective congress on the 28 to the 30th of October 2022 in Mahalapye, its Chairman Nehemiah Modubule said top on their agenda will be to discuss and demand electoral reforms ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The BMD outgoing President Advocate Sidney Pilane is expected to officiate at the congress.
In an interview with The Telegraph on Monday, Modubule said if the country does not have election reforms, the upcoming elections in 2024 will be a futile exercise.
“Election reforms are going to be one of our key discussions at the congress. Our demand is that there should be reforms or the elections are an exercise in futility. We are also going to discuss amongst others, issues of unemployment that are be-devilling the country,” he said.
Asked to give a list of those who are vying for positions at the elective congress, Modubule said candidates will be nominated on the floor. He however rubbished allegations that the BMD is now a dormant party. He said the party is still intact and has active loyal members who are working hard to make it a party of choice.
“BMD is still well and alive. It is not true that the party is dead or dormant despite our rough past. In fact we expect to attract over 350 attendees at this upcoming congress,” Modubule said.
The BMD has been in obscurity since 2017 due to internal turmoil which lead to the formation of the Alliance for Progressives(AP).
Asked on his decision to apply for readmission at the Botswana National Front(BNF), he said that he has since lost interest as his application was simply rejected.
“I rescinded the decision to try and join the BNF because it was clear that I was unwanted. My letter was simply rejected,” he said.
Asked if there are plans by the BMD to join other parties to form an opposition coalition ahead of the 2024 general elections, he said they still have to make a decision at the congress.
“We will have to discuss on which opposition party to join forces with depending on what the coalition will have for Batswana. One of our main concern in the country is unemployment especially among the youth,” he said.
