Botswana to Hold Elections on October 30 as President Masisi Seeks Second Term

Botswana will hold its general election on October 30, as announced by President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Tuesday. Masisi is seeking a second and final term following his party’s endorsement over the weekend.
In his address, Masisi emphasized Botswana’s commitment to its democratic principles and the constitutional mandate to hold elections every five years. He urged citizens to vote in large numbers, aiming to improve voter turnout after the 2019 elections saw only 63% of eligible voters participating, falling short of the 80% target set by the Independent Electoral Commission.
To encourage higher voter participation, Masisi has declared October 30 and 31 as public holidays. If reelected, Masisi will serve his final term, as the constitution limits presidents to two terms in office.
The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), led by Masisi, faces competition from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and the Botswana Congress Party, which has recently split from the opposition alliance. UDC spokesperson Moeti Mohwasa criticized the timing of the election announcement, expressing disappointment over the short notice but optimism for a change in leadership.
Political analyst Leonard Sesa from the University of Botswana praised the timely announcement of the election date, emphasizing the importance of transparency in maintaining democratic integrity. He noted that political parties are still working to finalize their candidate lists, with some constituencies lacking candidates.
In the 2019 election, the BDP secured a significant victory, increasing its share of the popular vote from 47% in 2014 to 53%.