Voting ends in Botswana with ruling party seeking to extend six decades of power: Video

The ruling party aims to extend its nearly 60-year dominance and secure a second term for President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

Polls opened at 6:30 AM local time for over a million registered voters, with four presidential candidates vying for leadership in the region’s oldest democracy, established after independence from Britain in 1966.

Lone Kobe, a 38-year-old self-employed woman, expressed her eagerness to vote, stating, "I can't wait to voice my opinion. I want to see a new Botswana."

She emphasised concerns about economic inequality, noting that many feel like mere spectators in their country’s development.

Muthisi Kemo, a 56-year-old unemployed man, echoed calls for true democracy and raised concerns about irregularities within the Independent Electoral Authority (IEC), which he claimed favoured the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

Voter apprehensions were heightened by allegations of mismanagement and corruption, coupled with an unemployment rate reaching 27%. Opposition groups criticized the IEC for not providing a digital version of the voters' roll and reported shortages of ballot papers during early voting.

President Masisi, 63, wrapped up his campaign with a rally of about 400 supporters, promising to "polish" his initiatives if re-elected. Many loyalists, like Queen Mosiane, 34, spoke of the government's support during personal hardships, asserting that stability under the BDP is crucial.

The main opposition, the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), faced challenges due to fragmentation, losing key allies who are now fielding their own candidates.

This division has left voters like Ookeditse Letshwenyo, 23, feeling disillusioned, as he believes unity is essential to challenge the BDP’s long-standing rule.

The elections are being closely watched, with 61 parliamentary seats up for grabs. A party needs to secure 31 seats to claim victory and appoint its candidate as president. Counting will commence after polls close at 7:00 PM local time, with results expected by late Thursday.