Elections in Botswana
Constitution |
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Elections in Botswana take place within the framework of a multi-party democracy and a
Electoral history
Bechuanaland Protectorate
Following the creation of the Bechuanaland Protectorate in 1889, the first elections took place in the territory at the start of the 1920s, following the establishment of the European Advisory Council (EAC) and the Native Advisory Council (NAC). Members of the EAC were elected in single-member constituencies by British citizens (or those who could qualify for British citizenship) with European parentage, and who met residency and wealth requirements.[2] It was first elected in 1921, with elections held every three years. Initially it had four members, increasing to six in 1929 and eight in 1948.[3]
The Native Advisory Council initially consisted of 30 members, five from each of the southern tribes (the
In 1950 a Joint Advisory Council was created, with eight representatives from each of the EAC and the AAC and three nominated members. Towards the end of the 1950s, pressures to create a Legislative Council eventually led to a proclamation in December 1960 that the EAC and AAC would be dissolved in April 1961, and two new bodies, a Legislative Council and African Council, would be elected.[4] The new Legislative Council had eleven directly elected members, ten of which were elected by Europeans and one by the Asian population. There were also ten indirectly elected African members, who were chosen by the African Council, as well as ten colonial officials and some co-opted members. The African Council was partly elected, with elected members sitting alongside the leaders of the eight chiefdoms.[5]
Republic of Botswana
The first elections held under
The 1999 elections saw the BDP win 33 of the 40 elected seats, following a split in the BNF in 1998. It went on to win 44 of the 57 elected seats in 2004, 45 seats in 2009 and 37 seats in 2014.
Electoral system
National Assembly
The 65 members of the National Assembly include 57 members elected for five-year terms in single member
Voters must be Batswana citizens aged 18 or over, have continuously resided in the country for at least 12 months prior to voter registration. Reasons for disqualification include being declared insane, being under a death sentence, having been imprisoned for six months or more, having committed an offence related to elections, or having dual citizenship.
President
Candidates for the National Assembly state on the ballot paper which candidate they support for President, and the President is subsequently elected by members of the National Assembly following general elections. Candidates must be nominated by at least 1,000 voters, and be at least 30 years old.[12] Until 1974 the President had to be an elected MP.[13]
Ntlo ya Dikgosi
The Ntlo ya Dikgosi (House of Chiefs) is indirectly elected. Until 2005 it consisted of the eight chiefs of the country's main tribes, four members elected from amongst themselves by chiefs of other tribes, and three further members elected by the 12 existing members.[13] In 2005 it was expanded to consist of 35 members, comprising the eight chiefs, five members appointed by the President, and 22 members elected by regional electoral colleges from paid tribal chiefs every five years.[14]
Referendums
Three national referendums have been held in Botswana. The first was held in 1987 on reforms to the electoral system, with a second referendum on the same subject in 1997. The third referendum was held in 2001 on proposed reforms to the judicial system. Voters were asked a total of eight questions, and voter turnout was just 4.9%.[15]
References
- ^ Botswana CIA World Handbook
- ^ a b Bechuanaland Protectorate, 1932 Colonial Reports
- ^ Fred Morton, Jeff Ramsay, Part Themba Mgadla (2008) Historical Dictionary of Botswana, Scarecrow Press, p83
- ^ a b c d Kenneth R. D. Manungo (1999) The role of the Native Advisory Council in the Bechuanaland Protectorate, 1919-1960 Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, vol. 13, nos. 1 & 2
- ^ Botswana: Late British colonialism (1945-1966) EISA
- ^ Botswana: Constitutional and electoral reform EISA
- ^ a b c National Assembly IPU
- ^ The Parliament of Botswana CPA
- ^ Dieter Nohlen, Michael Krennerich & Bernard Thibaut (1999) Elections in Africa: A Data Handbook, Oxford University Press, p105
- ^ Elections held in 2004 IPU
- ^ Elections in Botswana African Elections Database
- ^ Botswana: Constitution EISA
- ^ a b Nohlen et al, p106
- ^ Ntlo Ya Dikgosi Introduction Parliament of Botswana
- ^ Botswana: 2001 Referendum EISA
External links
- Botswana Independent Electoral Commission
- Botswana Psephos
- Botswana Africa Elections Database