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Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi seeks a second and final term in the general elections to be held on October 30 after his ruling party endorsed his candidacy over the weekend.
In a public address, Masisi said Botswana will continue with its long-standing principle of holding regular elections. Masisi’s ruling Botswana Democratic Party has been in power since independence from Britain in 1966.
“The constitution of the Republic of Botswana mandates that we, as a nation, hold general elections every five years,” Masisi said. “This is not just a legal obligation but a fundamental principle that underpins our democracy, a commitment we have honored, and we will continue to honor in the future.”
He urged voters to turn out in large numbers after previous elections in 2019 experienced voter apathy and low turnout, out of a target of 80% set by the country’s electoral body, the Independent Electoral Commission registered only 63% of the eligible voters.
Masisi is seeking a second term, which would be his final one, if he is reelected. The president is allowed two terms in office, according to the constitution
The BDP’s main threat is from a coalition of parties, the Umbrella for Democratic Change, or UDC, and the Botswana Congress Party, which has broken away from the opposition alliance.
However opposition parties highlighted that they expected the announcement of te election date earlier, “We welcome the date. However, it is regrettable that such an announcement is made at such short notice, we would have liked a situation whereby the date of elections is announced well in advance, but what we are happy with is that after so much suffering under the BDP rule, this will come to an end on October 30”, Umbrella for Democratic Change spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa
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