Voters in Botswana have thrown out the country’s long-ruling party in a political earthquake in the diamond-rich southern African country.
The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) – in power since independence in 1966 – has won just one seat in parliament as of Friday morning, election results show.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi accepted the defeat, saying that it was clear that his BDP party had lost badly.
Despite the remarkable turnaround in Botswana, recent poor economic growth and unemployment have made the BDP popular.
“I will respectfully step aside and participate in the plans for a smooth transition before the inauguration,” Masisi said at a press conference on Friday.
He appealed to his supporters to calm down and support the new government.
The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), led by human rights lawyer, Duma Boko, has won 25 seats, according to preliminary figures.
This party looks set to form the government as it is expected to pass the race for 31 seats to get a majority in parliament.
The Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF), supported by former president Ian Khama, has won five seats while the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has won seven seats.
As members of Parliament elect the president in Botswana, Boko is in a position to become the head of state when the parliament convenes for the first time.
UDC supporters were celebrating in the capital Gaborone and other parts of the country.
Masisi – in office since 2018 – led an unsuccessful BDP campaign.
The president ran on the message that his party could bring about “change”, but not enough voters were convinced that the BDP could do what was needed in the country.
The official results are expected to be announced by the election commission later on Friday.
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