Elections in Botswana

Elections in Botswana have been held regularly since independence, and have been consistently judged free and fair by international observers.

Botswana elects on national level a legislature. The president is elected for a five year term by the parliament. Parliament has two chambers. The National Assembly has 57 members elected for a five year term in single seat constituencies through first-past-the-post voting. The House of Chiefs/Ntlo Ya Dikgosi consists of the chiefs/Dikgosi's of the eight principal tribes, four elected sub chiefs and three members selected by the other twelve members.

Botswana has held ten democratic elections since its independence in 1966, more than any other nation in mainland sub-Saharan Africa. It has retained its democracy since its independence. Though Botswana is usually considered to be a democratic country, it is also considered a one party dominant state with the Botswana Democratic Party in power since independence. Opposition parties freely contest elections, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining enough support to achieve power.

Last elections

Main article: Botswana general election, 2009

See also

• Electoral calendar
• Electoral system

External links

• Botswana Independent Electoral Commission
• Adam Carr's Election Archive
• Africa Elections Database