Botswana holds general elections on Oct. 30

Botswana holds general elections on October 30, 2024, to elect new leaders.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana, in a national broadcast, declared: “Following the diligent preparations by the Independent Electoral Commission, the general elections would take place on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024.”

Masisi declared October 30 and October 31, both public holidays to promote higher voter turnout, urging all the citizens of Botswana to embrace this opportunity and exercise their democratic rights.

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The parliament would be dissolved on September 5, followed by the nomination of presidential candidates on September 28.

Masisi is running for reelection as the standard-bearer for the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has held a majority of seats in the National Assembly and governed the country since it gained independence on Sept. 30, 1966.

Other political parties that would be taking part in the forthcoming elections include Umbrella for Democratic Change, Botswana Congress Party, and Botswana Patriotic Front.

There are 61 National Assembly seats and 609 local council seats up for election.

Any party that wins 31 seats in the National Assembly would win the election.

NAN