Botswana’s Presidential Election Marks End of Six-Decade Rule by BDP

The presidential election in Botswana is poised to end the Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) six-decade dominance, with preliminary results showing a significant lead for opposition parties. With final election results expected later today, the political landscape in Botswana—a nation renowned for its stable democracy—appears set for a seismic shift.

According to Botswana’s state broadcaster, the opposition Coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by Duma Boko, has secured 28 seats out of the 61 in parliament, positioning itself as a formidable force against the BDP. The Botswana Congress Party (BCP), represented by Dumelang Saleshando, has won 8 seats, while the Botswana Patriotic Front, founded by former president Ian Khama, holds 6 seats. The BDP, under President Mokgweetsi Masisi, has claimed only 3 seats, leaving it far from the required 31 seats needed to form a government.

“We got it wrong big time in the eyes of the people,” Masisi admitted during a press conference in Gaborone. He acknowledged that, despite the BDP’s confidence in their campaign message, the results indicate a decisive shift in voter sentiment. “There’s no way that I can pretend that we’re going to form a government,” he stated, accepting the party’s new role as opposition.

Botswana’s BDP has governed the country since its independence from Britain in 1966, steering it to become one of Africa’s most stable democracies and a leader in diamond production. However, the 63-year-old Masisi expressed his willingness to step back gracefully, stating, “We are quite happy to retreat into being a loyal opposition and to hold the government accountable.”

In an act that reinforces Botswana’s democratic integrity, Masisi offered a public concession: “I wish to congratulate the opposition on their victory and concede the election.” His statement, welcomed by both national and international observers, underlines Botswana’s commitment to democratic processes and a peaceful transition of power.

The final results of this historic election are expected later today, signaling a new political era in Botswana and demonstrating the strength of its democratic institutions.