Early advance of the opposition |
The arid, sparsely populated African nation of Botswana counted votes Thursday in an election expected to return President Mokgweetsi Masisi to office after a first term marked by rising unemployment and concerns about the diamond-dependent economy.
Wednesday’s vote was organized in a country that prides itself on its democratic system that was established upon its independence from Britain in 1966, making it the oldest democracy in the region even though it has always been ruled by the same party.
The ruling Botswana Democratic Party expressed confidence that the results, expected late Thursday, would extend 58 years in power, although commentators said weak support could lead to the country’s first hung parliament.
Municipal vote counting began immediately, with polling stations closed late on Wednesday, while parliamentary ballot boxes were moved to separate centres.
With 61 parliamentary seats contested, Botswana’s majority system means that the first party to secure 31 seats will be declared the winner and its candidate will be installed as president.
Masisi, one of the four presidential candidates, said after casting his vote on Wednesday that he was confident that “victory is certain.”
But many voters said it was time for change amid allegations of government corruption, nepotism and mismanagement.
Most of Botswana’s financial assets are owned by the wealthy 10% of its population, and the gap between rich and poor is one of the largest in the world, according to the World Bank.
The unemployment rate rose to 27% as the economy suffered from a decline in the diamond market, the main source of income.
“The first priority of the next government or president will be to stabilize the economy and create a degree of strategic certainty in the mining sector,” political commentator Olopeng Rabasimane said.
He said, “The second goal is to create job opportunities, especially for young people. The third goal is to diversify the economy away from dependence on diamonds.”
Masisi acknowledged concerns about Botswana’s declining foreign exchange reserves and weak international diamond sales, saying the government would increase domestic investment as a countermeasure.
“We intend to address this by putting money in citizens’ pockets and building infrastructure,” he told reporters.
Rabasimani said the country needed more than construction. “You can’t just build roads when there’s no money to service those roads.” Voice of America