The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), now led by President Mokgweetsi Masisi, retained the majority in the 65-member National Assembly (see note 1), taking 38 of the 57 seats at stake. The BDP’s victory automatically re-elected Mr. Masisi as President (see note 2). The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC, the main opposition coalition led by Mr. Duma Boko) took 15 seats, five times more than the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF, a breakaway party of the BDP), which is led by former President Serêtsê Khama Ian Khama. On 1 November, President Masisi was sworn in for a five-year term.

The 2019 elections were the first to be held under President Masisi. In 2018, then Vice President Masisi succeeded Mr. Khama before the latter completed his five-year term. During election campaigning, President Masisi (BDP) vowed to reinvigorate the country’s economy by transforming it from a minerals-led to a knowledge-based economy. The UDC promised to create 10,000 jobs.

Note 1:
In accordance with the constitutional amendments of August 2016, which came into force on 26 October of that year, the number of “specially elected members” (members indirectly elected by the National Assembly) was increased from four to six. Consequently, the total number of members has increased from 63 to 65.

Note 2:
In accordance with Article 32 (3) of the Constitution, the presidential candidate of the party that secures more than half of the 57 directly elected seats in the National Assembly is declared elected as President. On 25 October, the Chief Justice announced that Mr. Masisi had been elected President.