Botswana’s general elections have been scheduled to be held on October 30, the diamond-rich country’s president announced on Tuesday.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi, seeking re-election for a second five-year term, stated on television that October 30 and 31 will be public holidays to enable a high voter turnout.
Parliament is expected to be dissolved on September 5. The presidential candidates’ names must be submitted by September 28, and the parliamentary and local council candidates’ names need to be submitted by October 4.
Botswana, a multi-party democracy, holds general elections every five years. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has been in power since gaining independence from Britain in 1966. The BDP confirmed Masisi as its candidate, and he presented the party manifesto, focusing on promises of job creation and economic prosperity.
In the previous election, the BDP secured slightly over 52 per cent of the votes, defeating the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) with nearly 36 per cent. In the upcoming election, Masisi will compete against the UDC’s Duma Boko, 54, and Dumelang Saleshando, 52, of the smaller Botswana Congress Party.
Masisi assumed leadership in 2018 through the BDP’s carefully planned succession process, following the resignation of then-president Ian Khama 18 months before the polls.
Botswana, with a population of about 2.5 million, is an arid country and one of the most unequal societies globally, according to the World Bank. Diamonds account for more than 90 per cent of its total exports, and it boasts strong institutions and sound economic management.