Botswana elections: Ruling party seeks to extend 58 years in power
Al Jazeera
Botswana Democratic Party remains a favourite despite slow economic growth caused by declining demand for diamonds.
Botswana is voting in a general election in which President Mokgweetsi Masisi is seeking a second term and his ruling party hopes to extend its nearly six decades in power.
Masisi, 63, is competing against three challengers on Wednesday for another five-year term. His Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) – which has governed the country of 2.3 million people for 58 years, since independence from British rule in 1966 – remains the favourite despite its decreasing popularity.
The BDP faces a divided opposition with its biggest challenge coming from the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), a coalition led by lawyer Duma Boko.
Also running for president are Dumelang Saleshando of the Botswana Congress Party and Mephato Reatile from the Botswana Patriotic Front.
The BDP – among Africa’s longest ruling parties – retains a majority in parliament, having won 38 of 57 contested seats in 2019.
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