General elections were held in Botswana on 15 October 1994, alongside simultaneous local elections. The result was a victory for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP),[1] which had won every election since 1965. However, the elections also saw a strong performance from the Botswana National Front (BNF), which tripled its number of MPs and won all four seats in the capital Gaborone.[2]
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40 of the 44 seats in the National Assembly 21 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Registered | 370,169 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Results by constituency | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
editFollowing the 1991 census, constituency boundaries were redrawn and six new constituencies were created. Five of these were in urban areas, which was deemed to be a more realistic apportionment of constituencies; Gaborone gained three, Francistown one and Lobatse became a new constituency.[3]
Campaign
editThe elections were contested by a record nine parties,[2] with a total of 108 candidates running.[3] The BNF considered boycotting the elections after the government refused to reform the electoral system or reduce the voting age from 21, but eventually contested the elections due to the belief that the government was vulnerable.[3]
The BDP campaigned on its record of economic and political stability, whilst the BNF campaign centred on high rent and utility costs, as well as unemployment.[2]
Results
edit| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana Democratic Party | 154,705 | 54.59 | 27 | –4 | |
| Botswana National Front | 105,109 | 37.09 | 13 | +10 | |
| Botswana People's Party | 11,586 | 4.09 | 0 | 0 | |
| Independence Freedom Party | 7,653 | 2.70 | 0 | New | |
| Botswana Progressive Union | 3,016 | 1.06 | 0 | 0 | |
| United Democratic Front | 783 | 0.28 | 0 | New | |
| United Socialist Party | 265 | 0.09 | 0 | New | |
| Lesedi la Botswana | 235 | 0.08 | 0 | New | |
| Botswana Liberal Party | 23 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | |
| Indirectly-elected members | 4 | 0 | |||
| Total | 283,375 | 100.00 | 44 | +6 | |
| Registered voters/turnout | 370,169 | – | |||
| Source: Parliament of Botswana[4] | |||||
The four indirectly elected members were elected on 26 October by members of the National Assembly, based on a list of eight candidates produced by President Ketumile Masire.
Aftermath
editFollowing the elections, the National Assembly convened on 17 October to elect the President. Incumbent President Masire (BDP) was challenged by Kenneth Koma (BNF) and Knight Maripe (BPP). Masire was re-elected and inaugurated on 19 October.[2] The new government was announced on 25 October.[2]
The 13 opposition MPs were the most the BDP had faced since independence. It would be the BNF's best showing until the 2024 elections, when the BNF-led Umbrella for Democratic Change would defeat the BDP.
Notes
edit- ^ Incumbent presidents are ineligible to contest National Assembly seats; instead, they serve as ex-officio members of Parliament.
- ^ Includes Thamaga results (3,674 BDP vs 2,238 BNF), as election was postponed with the death of the BDP candidate.
References
edit- ^ Dieter Nohlen, Michael Krennerich & Bernhard Thibaut (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p113 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
- ^ a b c d e Elections held in 1994 IPU
- ^ a b c Botswana: The October 1994 General Election EISA
- ^ Parliament of Botswana