Botswana’s ruling party BDP wins general election

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - Mokgweetsi Masisi, 58, has been declared president-elect after his ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) secured 29 national assembly seats, representing 51% of the vote.

Botswana’s Chief Justice Terence Rannowane, who is also the convener of elections, announced the decision on Friday although the counting of votes were still ongoing in a dozen other constituencies.

According to Botswana’s constitution, a party is declared winner after it gets 51% of the vote and in this case BDP secured 29 seats out of the 57 which gives them a mandate to form a new government.

The opposition alliance, Umbrella for Democratic Change obtained 12 seats, the new Botswana Patriotic Front got three seats and the Alliance progressive party trailed with one.

On Wednesday, Botswana went to the polls to elect a president, members of parliament and local government representatives.

Like any other African country, unemployment, inequality and a call for improved service delivery, were some of the main issues that dominated the election campaigns.

The new president, who first assumed the role in 2018, will be tasked with building and consolidating Botswana’s economy -- one of the best on the continent which has been growing at 8% per annum.

Botswana, home to 2.1 million people, is considered comparatively a rich African nation, with a large middle-income group with stable economy and democratic system.

The country has enjoyed rapid economic growth, largely due to resources, including diamonds, uranium and copper.