Publish: 16:45, 02 Nov, 2024 Updated: 16:50, 02 Nov, 2024

Botswana Election: BDP ousted from power after 58 years

Online Desk
Botswana Election: BDP ousted from power after 58 years
Photo - Collected

Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat as preliminary results showed his party had lost its parliamentary majority by a landslide in this week’s election, reports CNN.

The defeat on Friday calls an end to six decades long rule of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

With more than half of constituencies reporting, the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) had a significant lead, putting its leader, lawyer Duma Boko, on track to win the presidency.

Analysts said that mounting socio-economic grievances, particularly among young people, were the downfall of the ruling BDP, which has governed the small southern African state since independence from Britain in 1966.

Botswana has largely depended on its diamonds for income, but a downturn in the global diamond market caused economic growth to plummet this year, while unemployment rose to 28%.

State television showed that based on results from 41 of the 61 constituencies up for grabs, the UDC had won 26 seats in parliament while the BDP had only three. Members of parliament elect the president.

Boko, who has not yet spoken publicly since the result, had campaigned on issues such as raising the minimum wage and increasing social grants.

“Although I wanted to stay on as your president, I respect the will of the people and I congratulate the president-elect. I will step aside and I will support the new administration,” Masisi said at a press conference.

The capital Gaborone was calm on Friday morning, with small groups of opposition supporters celebrating in the streets.

“I did not ever think I would witness this change in my life,” said 23-year-old student Mpho Mogorosi. “The BDP had stayed too long in power and I am proud to be part of the people that removed them for a better Botswana.”

The BDP was the second long-ruling party in southern Africa to suffer a defeat at the polls this year, after South Africa’s African National Congress also lost its parliamentary majority following 30 years in power and was forced to form a coalition government.

Neighboring Namibia will hold elections later this month in which the ruling SWAPO party, which has governed since 1990, is also expected to face a stiff challenge.

“The outcome of Botswana’s elections should serve as a warning to long-time ruling parties across southern Africa and beyond that without economic progress and employment opportunities, political dominance will falter,” said Zaynab Hoosen, an Africa analyst at Pangea-Risk.

Bd-Pratidin English/ Afsar Munna

More News
Trump pledges release of JFK files, experts question potential revelations
Trump pledges release of JFK files, experts question potential revelations
Death toll in gunmen’s attack on vehicles in Pakistan reaches 42
Death toll in gunmen’s attack on vehicles in Pakistan reaches 42
Iran to launch 'advanced centrifuges' in response to IAEA censure
Iran to launch 'advanced centrifuges' in response to IAEA censure
Ultra-large gold mine worth about $83 billion discovered in China
Ultra-large gold mine worth about $83 billion discovered in China
Netanyahu criticizes ICC over war crimes arrest warrants
Netanyahu criticizes ICC over war crimes arrest warrants
Trump choose Pam Bondi as attorney general as Matt Gaetz withdraws his name
Trump choose Pam Bondi as attorney general as Matt Gaetz withdraws his name
Bolsonaro, Aides indicted over alleged 2022 coup attempt in Brazil
Bolsonaro, Aides indicted over alleged 2022 coup attempt in Brazil
Russia fired a new missile to Ukraine that West can't stop, says Putin
Russia fired a new missile to Ukraine that West can't stop, says Putin
North Korea's Kim accuses U.S. of escalating tensions, warns of nuclear conflict
North Korea's Kim accuses U.S. of escalating tensions, warns of nuclear conflict
Turkish officials welcome ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Gallant over war crimes
Turkish officials welcome ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Gallant over war crimes
Nations criticise vague climate finance deal at UN talks
Nations criticise vague climate finance deal at UN talks
Death toll in Gaza surpasses 44,000
Death toll in Gaza surpasses 44,000
Latest News
Touhid to lead Bangladesh at UNAOC Global Forum in Portugal
Touhid to lead Bangladesh at UNAOC Global Forum in Portugal

2 minutes ago | National

Fascism will resurface if not eradicated: Adviser Adilur Rahman
Fascism will resurface if not eradicated: Adviser Adilur Rahman

9 minutes ago | National

Trump pledges release of JFK files, experts question potential revelations
Trump pledges release of JFK files, experts question potential revelations

10 minutes ago | International

Death toll in gunmen’s attack on vehicles in Pakistan reaches 42
Death toll in gunmen’s attack on vehicles in Pakistan reaches 42

48 minutes ago | International

Iran to launch 'advanced centrifuges' in response to IAEA censure
Iran to launch 'advanced centrifuges' in response to IAEA censure

1 hour ago | International

6,520 MT of Indian rice imported via Satkhira's Bhomra in 8 days
6,520 MT of Indian rice imported via Satkhira's Bhomra in 8 days

1 hour ago | National

19 juvenile gang members arrested in Hajiganj
19 juvenile gang members arrested in Hajiganj

1 hour ago | National

Ultra-large gold mine worth about $83 billion discovered in China
Ultra-large gold mine worth about $83 billion discovered in China

1 hour ago | International

Adani shares plunge again in India following founder’s U.S. bribery charges
Adani shares plunge again in India following founder’s U.S. bribery charges

2 hours ago | Economy

New EC to be sworn in Sunday afternoon
New EC to be sworn in Sunday afternoon

2 hours ago | National

82 more Bangladeshi citizens return from Lebanon, total reaches 697
82 more Bangladeshi citizens return from Lebanon, total reaches 697

2 hours ago | National

Editors want all upcoming elections to be held under caretaker government
Editors want all upcoming elections to be held under caretaker government

2 hours ago | Special

Netanyahu criticizes ICC over war crimes arrest warrants
Netanyahu criticizes ICC over war crimes arrest warrants

2 hours ago | International

Drug trafficking continues unabated
Drug trafficking continues unabated

2 hours ago | Special

Trump choose Pam Bondi as attorney general as Matt Gaetz withdraws his name
Trump choose Pam Bondi as attorney general as Matt Gaetz withdraws his name

3 hours ago | International

IMF Loans: A Double-Edged Sword for Bangladesh
IMF Loans: A Double-Edged Sword for Bangladesh

4 hours ago | Economy

Bolsonaro, Aides indicted over alleged 2022 coup attempt in Brazil
Bolsonaro, Aides indicted over alleged 2022 coup attempt in Brazil

4 hours ago | International

Russia fired a new missile to Ukraine that West can't stop, says Putin
Russia fired a new missile to Ukraine that West can't stop, says Putin

4 hours ago | International

Anti-Discrimination Student Movement forms 18-member central committee
Anti-Discrimination Student Movement forms 18-member central committee

4 hours ago | National

North Korea's Kim accuses U.S. of escalating tensions, warns of nuclear conflict
North Korea's Kim accuses U.S. of escalating tensions, warns of nuclear conflict

4 hours ago | International

Turkish officials welcome ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Gallant over war crimes
Turkish officials welcome ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu, Gallant over war crimes

5 hours ago | International

Bitcoin nears $100,000 amid optimism over Trump's crypto policies
Bitcoin nears $100,000 amid optimism over Trump's crypto policies

5 hours ago | Economy

Case filed over JU student's death caused by e-rickshaw on campus
Case filed over JU student's death caused by e-rickshaw on campus

15 hours ago | National

Standing beside people armed forces became symbol of confidence: Chief Adviser
Standing beside people armed forces became symbol of confidence: Chief Adviser

16 hours ago | National

Cultural Affairs Ministry unveils seven priority projects to inspire youth after July Revolution
Cultural Affairs Ministry unveils seven priority projects to inspire youth after July Revolution

16 hours ago | Showbiz

Bashundhara Shuvosangho supports human chain against attack on students
Bashundhara Shuvosangho supports human chain against attack on students

16 hours ago | Shuvosangho

Hollywood films ‘Wicked’ and ‘Red One’ set to premiere in Bangladesh
Hollywood films ‘Wicked’ and ‘Red One’ set to premiere in Bangladesh

17 hours ago | Showbiz

Bangladesh tennis team beat Yemen
Bangladesh tennis team beat Yemen

17 hours ago | Sports

Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan urges for minimum and grant-based Allocation in COP29 negotiations
Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan urges for minimum and grant-based Allocation in COP29 negotiations

17 hours ago | National

Nations criticise vague climate finance deal at UN talks
Nations criticise vague climate finance deal at UN talks

18 hours ago | International

Most Read
I believe in free, fair, and credible election: CEC
I believe in free, fair, and credible election: CEC

21 hours ago | National

Cultural Affairs Ministry unveils seven priority projects to inspire youth after July Revolution
Cultural Affairs Ministry unveils seven priority projects to inspire youth after July Revolution

16 hours ago | Showbiz

Dr. Yunus advocates for a country where people hold ultimate power
Dr. Yunus advocates for a country where people hold ultimate power

23 hours ago | National

Nasir Uddin appointed as new CEC, along with four others
Nasir Uddin appointed as new CEC, along with four others

22 hours ago | National

Chief Adviser proud bringing Khaleda Zia to Senakunja
Chief Adviser proud bringing Khaleda Zia to Senakunja

20 hours ago | National

IMF Loans: A Double-Edged Sword for Bangladesh
IMF Loans: A Double-Edged Sword for Bangladesh

4 hours ago | Economy

Supreme Court stays ex-Addl AG Mehedi’s bail
Supreme Court stays ex-Addl AG Mehedi’s bail

22 hours ago | National

Garment workers block road in Gazipur protesting
Garment workers block road in Gazipur protesting

23 hours ago | City

Standing beside people armed forces became symbol of confidence: Chief Adviser
Standing beside people armed forces became symbol of confidence: Chief Adviser

16 hours ago | National

Drug trafficking continues unabated
Drug trafficking continues unabated

2 hours ago | Special

New DMP Commissioner Sazzad Ali takes charge
New DMP Commissioner Sazzad Ali takes charge

23 hours ago | City

Putin gifts over 70 animals to North Korean zoo following troop support for Russian army
Putin gifts over 70 animals to North Korean zoo following troop support for Russian army

22 hours ago | International

Khaleda Zia makes first public appearance at Senakunja in 12 years
Khaleda Zia makes first public appearance at Senakunja in 12 years

22 hours ago | National

Shakib hints he might be available for Windies ODIs
Shakib hints he might be available for Windies ODIs

23 hours ago | Sports

Opportunities created to decrease fuel oil price further: BPC chairman
Opportunities created to decrease fuel oil price further: BPC chairman

20 hours ago | Economy

Battery rickshaw blockade suspended until Saturday
Battery rickshaw blockade suspended until Saturday

19 hours ago | National

Shafik Rehman secures bail
Shafik Rehman secures bail

21 hours ago | National

No artificial crisis be allowed in food supply chain: Bashir
No artificial crisis be allowed in food supply chain: Bashir

22 hours ago | City

Ukraine says Russia has launched an ICBM in an attack
Ukraine says Russia has launched an ICBM in an attack

22 hours ago | International

International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas officials
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas officials

19 hours ago | International

Former UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott dies at age 86
Former UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott dies at age 86

21 hours ago | International

Farmers busy in harvesting paddy in Naogaon
Farmers busy in harvesting paddy in Naogaon

22 hours ago | City

Two bodies recovered in Naogaon
Two bodies recovered in Naogaon

20 hours ago | City

Govt unveils treatment plan for injured in July-August movement
Govt unveils treatment plan for injured in July-August movement

19 hours ago | National

We’re reviewing election irregularities, plans punishment: Badiul Alam Majumder
We’re reviewing election irregularities, plans punishment: Badiul Alam Majumder

18 hours ago | National

4 foreign tourists die from methanol tainted alcohol in Laos
4 foreign tourists die from methanol tainted alcohol in Laos

22 hours ago | International

Dengue takes 9 lives in 24 hrs
Dengue takes 9 lives in 24 hrs

19 hours ago | National

Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan urges for minimum and grant-based Allocation in COP29 negotiations
Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan urges for minimum and grant-based Allocation in COP29 negotiations

17 hours ago | National

Iran slams US’ veto on Gaza ceasefire resolution
Iran slams US’ veto on Gaza ceasefire resolution

23 hours ago | International

Nations criticise vague climate finance deal at UN talks
Nations criticise vague climate finance deal at UN talks

18 hours ago | International