New Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform (beta)
Your one-stop-shop for information about national parliaments

Botswana

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National Assembly

Political system Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
Unicameral
IPU membership Current membership status
Yes

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections

Background

Election date(s) The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
24.10.2014
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
29.08.2014
Timing of election Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
31.10.2019
Number of seats at stake Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
57
Scope of elections Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal

Candidates

Total number of candidates Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
192
Number of male candidates Number of male candidates
175
Number of female candidates Number of female candidates
17
The number of women candidates is not available from authoritative sources.
No
Percentage of women candidates The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
8.85%
Number of parties contesting the election This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
3
Notes
Number of parties contesting the election: 2 parties and one coalition, which itself comprised three parties)

Voter turnout

Registration Number of people registered to vote
824,432
Votes Number of people who actually voted
698,419
Voter turnout The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
84.72%

Results

About the election Short description of the context and results of the election.
President Seretse Khama Ian Khama's Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) retained its majority, taking 37 of the 57 directly elected seats. Opposition forces won a total of 20 seats. The Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition (UDC, see note) won 17 seats, thereby becoming the largest ever opposition force in parliament. The remaining three seats went to the Botswana Congress Party of Mr. Dumelang Saleshando. In all, 32 new MPs entered parliament. The BDP - which has ruled the country since independence in 1966 - ran on the government's record, citing better health care programmes and its programme to end poverty by 2016. The UDC campaigned for “a clean and effective government”. It promised to develop the economy and bring greater prosperity. On 28 October, President Khama was sworn in for a third term, having taken office in 2008 (the constitution limits the presidential term of office to a maximum of ten years). The following day, the newly elected members were sworn in to the National Assembly. On 12 November, it elected Mr. Mokgweetsi Masisi as Vice President. Note: The Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition comprised the Botswana National Front (BNF, led by Mr. Duma Boko), the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD, led by Mr. Nehemiah Modubule) and the Botswana People's Party (BPP, led by Mr. Motlatsi Molapisi).
Number of parties winning seats The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
3
Percentage of parties winning seats The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
100%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
64.91%
Alternation of power after elections The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
No
Names of parties in government The government may be formed by one or more political parties
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political groups winning seats breakdown
Political group Total
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) 37
Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) 17
Botswana Congress Party (BCP) 3
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
57
Number of women elected
6
Percentage of women elected The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
10.53%
Note on the Distribution of seats according to sex
As at 14 November 2014, there were six women in the National Assembly: Four directly elected members, one indirectly elected member and the Speaker.
Other notes
Number of parties winning seats: 3 (2 parties and one coalition)
Sources
National Assembly (03.11.2014, 14.11.2014)
Women Directly Elected
4
Women Indirectly Elected
1
Women Other
1

New legislature

Total number of men after the election The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
57
Total number of women after the election The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
6
First-term parliamentarians The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
35
Date of the first session The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
29.10.2014
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Gladys Kokorwe (Female)
Political party
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)
Date of election
12.11.2014