BDP cancels rallies on eve of repeat primary elections

In a bid to end increasing hostility between rival candidates in the rerun of primary elections in some wards and constituencies, the Botswana Democratic Party's Central Committee has announced that all political rallies would be cancelled. The ban will only be lifted after the elections have been held and the results announced. The constituencies affected are Serowe South, Francistown West, Serowe North East, and Bobirwa. Without elaborating, the BDP's Executive Secretary, Botsalo Ntuane, said that the ban took effect immediately. He did not say what led to the decision, but speculation is that the recent clashes between BDP factions forced the leadership to take drastic action. (The Botswana Gazette, Gabarone)