Botswana voters rejected the nation’s long-ruling celebration, in a outcome that marks a political earthquake within the diamond-rich southern African nation.
The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), in energy since independence in 1966, had received only one parliamentary seat early Friday morning, preliminary election outcomes confirmed.
The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by human rights lawyer Duma Boko, received 20 seats, in response to preliminary counts.
The UDC appears set to kind the federal government as it’s anticipated to cross the 31-seat threshold to realize a majority in parliament.
As parliamentarians elect the president in Botswana, Duma Boko is on observe to change into the following head of state as soon as parliament convenes for the primary time.
Boko, who’s working for the third time, urged his supporters to “keep vigilance and self-discipline”.
Despite overseeing dramatic change in Botswana, latest poor financial progress and excessive unemployment have dented the BDP’s reputation.
He will substitute Mokgweetsi Masisi – in workplace since 2018 – who led the BDP’s failed marketing campaign.
The president put out the message that his celebration might result in “change,” however not sufficient voters had been satisfied that the BDP might do what was wanted for the nation.
