Initially the congress was slated for May but it is understood that the continued internal bickering within the organisation resulted in the party leadership rescheduling the dates.
Incumbent party and state President Mokgweetsi Masisi will face a challenge from former cabinet minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi for the leadership of the party.
It will be for the first time that the ruling party’s President is challenged at a special congress by one of its members since the BDP started governing the country in 1966 after independence from Britain.
BDP secretary general Mpho Balopi told reporters at a press briefing that “the special congress to elect the party president will be held on the 5th April 2019.”
The ruling party is heading to the general elections divided following a fallout between President Masisi and his predecessor Ian Khama over governance issues.