Botswana votes as president's seeks to rule
Published: 03:10 PM,Oct 30,2024 | EDITED : 08:10 PM,Oct 30,2024
Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi (C) conducts a press conference, west of Gaborone. — AFP
GABORONE: Diamond-rich Botswana went to the polls on Wednesday, with voters concerned about high unemployment and an economic slump as the ruling party vies to extend its nearly six decades in power and hand President Mokgweetsi Masisi a second term. Many of the one million registered voters queued for several hours to cast their ballots in the arid and sparsely populated country, which prides itself on being southern Africa's oldest democracy.
Masisi, 63, was elected in 2019 with around 52 per cent of the vote going to the BDP. While the party is not expected to fare much better this time, commentators have raised the prospect of a hung parliament for the first time. Masisi told reporters after voting: 'I don't want a hung parliament. But elsewhere, if that happens, parties negotiate.' 'We intend to address that by putting money into the pockets of citizens and building infrastructure,' said Masisi. — AFP
Masisi, 63, was elected in 2019 with around 52 per cent of the vote going to the BDP. While the party is not expected to fare much better this time, commentators have raised the prospect of a hung parliament for the first time. Masisi told reporters after voting: 'I don't want a hung parliament. But elsewhere, if that happens, parties negotiate.' 'We intend to address that by putting money into the pockets of citizens and building infrastructure,' said Masisi. — AFP