Botswana votes today

The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) has deployed its electoral observation mission to monitor today’s general elections in Botswana.These elections will be for the National Assembly or the 13th parliament of the diamond-rich country, which currently has 61 seats as well as local councils across the country. Along with passing bills, the National Assembly also has the power to elect the president. Sitting president Mokgweetsi Masisi is running for re-election and is going up against Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) leader Duma Boko, Botswana Congress Party (BCP) head Dumelang Saleshando and Mephato Reatile of the Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF).The Institute for Security Studies reported that Reatile is backed by former president Ian Khama, who recently returned from South Africa where he was in self-imposed exile, bent on unseating Masisi - who served as vice-president during his reign.Khama cannot run for re-election as he already served two terms as president. Free and fairIn a media statement issued on Tuesday, Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, emphasised that this mission is part of SADC's commitment to uphold democratic processes within its member states.The mission will be led by Mizengo Pinda, former prime minister of Tanzania. “SADC has deployed its electoral observation mission to the Republic of Botswana to observe the country’s pre-election phase, polling day and the post-election processes to determine the country’s adherence to the revised SADC principles and guidelines governing democratic elections. These principles and guidelines promote regular, free and fair, transparent, credible and peaceful democratic elections as key markers of democracy and good governance, and to institutionalise legitimate authority of representative governments in the southern African region.”Pinda emphasised the importance of peaceful elections and urged all eligible voters to participate responsibly, noting that the mission's presence is crucial as it seeks to promote electoral integrity and stability within the region while providing recommendations based on its observations.jemima@nmh-hub.com.na

Botswana votes today

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-03

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Botswana votes today

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-03

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