Botswana’s populace head to the polls on Wednesday, October 23th to bring an end to an unusually controversially campaign in one of the African continent’s most stable nations.
The polls have been described by analysts as unprecedented particularly against the backdrop that the former president Ian Khama has thrown his weight behind two opposition presidential candidates.
The Presidential bid will see President Eric Mokgweetsi Masisi fight it out with three other candidates.
About 925,000 registered voters are expected to gift their ink crosses in a country of over two million are voting for 57 members of the National Assembly, who will choose the president. The results are expected to be announced later in the week.
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
Ndaba Gaolathe: Alliance for Progressives
Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi : Botswana Democratic Party
Biggie Butale: Botswana Patriotic Front
Duma Boko : Umbrella for Democratic Changewatch the debate on the link below#Presidentialdebatehttps://t.co/lGpsEuonYQ
— Botswana Government (@BWGovernment) October 16, 2019
The Botswana Democratic Party, which has ruled the diamond-rich southern African nation since gaining independence from Britain in 1966, is facing a strong challenge from the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition, led by Duma Boko.
The opposition has gotten a boost from ex-President Ian Khama, who is feuding with President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Masisi was Khama’s hand-picked successor when the latter stepped down last year, but the two split over Masisi’s policies, including a decision to scrap a ban on elephant hunting imposed by Khama.
About 925,000 registered voters in a country of over two million are voting for 57 members of the National Assembly, who will choose the president. The results are expected to be announced later in the week.
The vote caps a busy election year for the southern Africa region which has witnessed elections in South Africa, Malawi, DR Congo and earlier this month in Mozambique.
Key players casting their votes in the highly and vehemently contested unprecedented polls:
Former President Ian Khama casting his vote at Makolojwane Ward in Serowe. #BotswanaElections (Weekend Post) pic.twitter.com/y6PGmifKe6
— Sibs Macd (@SibsMacd) October 23, 2019
RT @PolokoTau: #BotswanaElections UDC leader @DumaBoko speaks after voting in Gaborone pic.twitter.com/IgZalapKL0
— City Press (@City_Press) October 23, 2019
#BotswanaElections AP presidential hopeful @ndabagaolathe casting his vote in Gaborone @ pic.twitter.com/dpsLdygWua
— Poloko Tau (@PolokoTau) October 23, 2019
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