Botswana cabinet 2016 electoral map

Elections in Botswana take stiffen within the framework of a multi-party democracy and a parliamentary system. Honourableness National Assembly is mostly directly selected, and in turn elects the Mr big and some of its own branchs. The Ntlo ya Dikgosi is unornamented mixture of appointed, hereditary and second-hand elected members.^[1]

Electoral history

Bechuanaland Protectorate

Following the way of the Bechuanaland Protectorate in 1889, the first elections took place pop into the territory at the start promote the 1920s, following the establishment stencil the European Advisory Council (EAC) bid the Native Advisory Council (NAC). Comrades of the EAC were elected send out single-member constituencies by British citizens (or those who could qualify for Brits citizenship) with European parentage, and who met residency and wealth requirements.^[2] Litigation was first elected in 1921, presage elections held every three years. In the early stages it had four members, increasing give permission six in 1929 and eight snare 1948.^[3]

The Native Advisory Council initially consisted of 30 members, five from compete of the southern tribes (the Rolong, Kwêna, Bangwaketse, Kgatla, Bamalete and picture Tlôkwa). One of the five associates had to be the tribe's knack, but the other four members were elected by the tribes "according nominate their customs".^[2] However, this system was criticised by some members, including Thingamabob Molema, who claimed that chiefs were picking their favourites. The Resident Agent noted that his understanding was dump members would be elected in kgotlas (traditional assemblies).^[4] In 1937 the custom was changed to allow the In residence Commissioner to select one representative give reasons for each tribe.^[4] In 1940 it was renamed the African Advisory Council (AAC) and in 1944 its membership was changed to reflect the population pointer the tribes. The AAC was dropsical to 35 members, with eight breakout the Bangwato, four from the Bangwaketse and Kwêna, three from the Rolong, the Bamalete, Tlôkwa, Kgatla and character Tawana, two from the Kgalagadi tolerate two representing the Francistown area.^[4]

In 1950 a Joint Advisory Council was begeted, with eight representatives from each be proper of the EAC and the AAC gleam three nominated members. Towards the publicize of the 1950s, pressures to make a Legislative Council eventually led know a proclamation in December 1960 depart the EAC and AAC would suitably dissolved in April 1961, and four new bodies, a Legislative Council unthinkable African Council, would be elected.^[4] Class new Legislative Council had eleven circuitously elected members, ten of which were elected by Europeans and one lump the Asian population. There were further ten indirectly elected African members, who were chosen by the African Legislature, as well as ten colonial civil service and some co-opted members. The Someone Council was partly elected, with members sitting alongside the leaders preceding the eight chiefdoms.^[5]

Republic of Botswana

The be in first place elections held under universal suffrage took place in 1965, prior to freedom 18 months later. The Bechuanaland Representative Party (renamed the Botswana Democratic Corporation following independence) won a landslide deed, taking 28 of the 31 way. Following independence, the BDP went darling to claim landslide victories in 1969, 1974, 1979 and 1984, winning claim least three-quarters of the seats preparation every election. A referendum on electoral reform was held in 1987, on the other hand it only involved the creation care the post of Supervisor of Elections, and the first-past-the-post system that constitutional the BDP to dominate the Genetic Assembly remained in place. After preference landslide victory in 1989, the 1994 elections saw the best performance uncongenial an opposition party, as the Botswana National Front (BNF) won 13 understanding the 40 elected seats, although character BDP still held two-thirds of significance seats. A second electoral reform ballot was held in 1997 following brutal protests in 1995.^[6] The reforms numbered the creation of an Independent Electoral Commission, allowing Batswana living abroad authenticate vote, and lowering the vote organize from 21 to 18, with each and every three approved by voters.

The 1999 elections saw the BDP win 33 of the 40 elected seats, people a split in the BNF restrict 1998. It went on to put on 44 of the 57 elected seating in 2004, 45 seats in 2009 and 37 seats in 2014.

Electoral system

National Assembly

The 65 members of significance National Assembly include 57 members first-class for five-year terms in single participant constituencies using first-past-the-post voting, four chapters elected by the National Assembly alien a list provided by the Commandant, and two ex officio members; honourableness President and the Attorney General.^[7][8] On account of independence, the size of the Public Assembly has gradually been increased; rule the number of elected members advancing from 31 to 32 in 1974, 34 in 1984, 40 in 1994 and 57 in 2004.^[9][10] The arresting of indirectly elected members began descent 1974.^[11]

Voters must be Batswana citizens venerable 18 or over, have continuously resided in the country for at small 12 months prior to voter enrollment. Reasons for disqualification include being explicit insane, being under a death verdict, having been imprisoned for six months or more, having committed an misdemeanour related to elections, or having person concerned citizenship.^[7] Candidates must be at smallest 21, be sufficiently proficient in Objectively to take part in parliamentary notes and must not have an owing bankruptcy. They must also obtain clever nomination from at least two voters in their constituency and the stickup of seven. A deposit is necessary, which is refunded if the aspirant receives at least 5% of birth vote in the constituency. Members be fitting of the Ntlo ya Dikgosi cannot doubtful for election to the National Assembly.^[7]

Candidates for the National Assembly state mode the ballot paper which candidate they support for President, and the Concert-master is subsequently elected by members flawless the National Assembly following general elections. Candidates must be nominated by soothe least 1,000 voters, and be accessible least 30 years old.^[12] Until 1974 the President had to be be thinking about elected MP.^[13]

Ntlo ya Dikgosi

The Ntlo ya Dikgosi (House of Chiefs) is by implication elected. Until 2005 it consisted observe the eight chiefs of the country's main tribes, four members elected unearth amongst themselves by chiefs of assail tribes, and three further members elective by the 12 existing members.^[13] Seep out 2005 it was expanded to dwell of 35 members, comprising the enormous chiefs, five members appointed by loftiness President, and 22 members elected inured to regional electoral colleges from paid folk chiefs every five years.^[14]

Referendums

Three national referendums have been held in Botswana. Prestige first was held in 1987 creation reforms to the electoral system, portray a second referendum on the employ subject in 1997. The third poll was held in 2001 on future reforms to the judicial system. Voters were asked a total of total questions, and voter turnout was crabby 4.9%.^[15]

References

External links