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Botswana ruling party rejected after 58 years in power Botswana ruling party rejected after 58 years in power
(about 2 hours later)
Officials were counting votes throughout Thursday The UDC is on course to secure the presidency
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.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 – had won only one parliamentary seat as of early Friday morning, preliminary election results show. 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.
The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by human rights lawyer Duma Boko, won 20 seats, according to the early tallies. President Mokgweetsi Masisi has accepted defeat, saying that it was clear his BDP party had lost "massively".
UDC looks set to form the government as it is projected to pass the 31-seat threshold for a majority in parliament. “I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process ahead of inauguration,” Masisi said in a press conference on Friday.
As MPs elect the president in Botswana, Duma Boko is on course to become the next head of state once parliament meets for the first time. He has urged his supporters to remain calm and rally behind the new government.
Boko, who is running for the third time, has urged his supporters to "maintain vigilance and discipline". 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.
A party in power for 58 years pledges change for Botswana
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.Despite overseeing a dramatic change in Botswana, recent poor economic growth and high unemployment dented the BDP’s popularity.
He will replace Mokgweetsi Masisi – in office since 2018 – who led the BDP’s failed campaign. 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.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.
More BBC stories on Botswana:
A party in power for 58 years pledges change for Botswana
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