Governing BDP party loses power after nearly six decades

Voters in Botswana have rejected the country’s long-serving governing party in a result that marks a political earthquake in the diamond-rich southern African nation.

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) – in power since independence in 1966 – has won only one parliamentary seat as of early Friday morning, early election results show.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi has accepted defeat, saying that it was clear his BDP party had lost “massively”.

“I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process ahead of inauguration,” Masisi said in a press conference on Friday.

He has urged his supporters to remain calm and rally behind the new government.

The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by human rights lawyer Duma Boko, has won 25 seats, according to the early tallies.

The party looks set to form the government as it is projected to pass the 31-seat threshold for a majority in parliament.

The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), supported by former President Ian Khama, has secured five seats while the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has so far won seven seats.

The three opposition parties have together won more than 31 of 61 parliamentary seats, meaning the BDP has no chance of winning a majority.

As MPs elect the president in Botswana, Boko is on course to become the next head of state once parliament meets for the first time.

UDC supporters have been celebrating in the capital Gaborone and other parts of the country.

Official results are expected to be announced by the Independent Electoral Commission later Friday.

Despite overseeing a dramatic change in Botswana, recent poor economic growth and high unemployment dented the BDP’s popularity.

Masisi – in office since 2018 – led the BDP’s failed campaign.

The president ran on a message that his party could bring about “change”, but not enough voters were convinced the BDP could do what was needed for the country.