Botswana

National Assembly

Political system
Parliamentary system
Structure of parliament
Unicameral
IPU membership
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)
23 Oct 2019
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
28 Aug 2019
Timing of election
Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections
31 Oct 2024
Number of seats at stake
57
Scope of elections
Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election
6
Total number of candidates
210
Number of male candidates
198
Number of female candidates
12
Percentage of women candidates
5.7%

Voter turnout

Registered voters
925,478
Voters
772,158
Voter turnout
83.4%

Results

About the election

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.

Number of parties winning seats
4
Percentage of parties winning seats
66.7%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
66.7%
Alternation of power after elections
No
Number of parties in government
1
Names of parties in government
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group Total
Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) 38
Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) 15
Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) 3
Alliance for Progressives (AP) 1
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
54
Number of women elected
3
Percentage of women elected
5.3%
Women Directly Elected
3
Women Indirectly Elected
4
Sources

New legislature

Total number of men after the election
58
Total number of women after the election
7
Percentage of women after the election
10.8%
First-term parliamentarians
40
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
61.5%
Date of the first session
05 Nov 2019

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
Phandu Tobola Chaka Skelemani (Male)
Date of election
05 Nov 2019

Historical data for IPU membership

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Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No