By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
People in Botswana are waiting for results of Wednesday’s election which could extend the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)’s 58-year rule.
Voting was orderly in a country proud of its democratic system installed on independence from Britain in 1966, making it the oldest democracy in the region although it has always been governed by the same party.
The ruling BDP is confident the results, which are expected late Thursday, will extend its 58 years in power, although commentators said weakened support may see the country’s first hung parliament.
Counting for the municipal ballot started immediately as polls closed late Wednesday while the parliamentary ballot boxes were transported to separate centres.
The main opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) leader Duma Boko voiced concerns about the exercise.
“We are worried about all these things because they speak to the integrity of the process and they tell you that we’re dealing with an IEC (Independent Electoral Commission) that is hellbent on ensuring that we do not have free, fair and credible elections, but we make do with what we have,” said Boko.
With 61 parliamentary seats up for grabs, Botswana’s first-past-the-post system means the first party to 31 seats will be declared the winner and install its candidate as president.
Mokgweetsi Masisi, one of four presidential candidates, said after casting his ballot he was confident that “victory is certain”.
But many voters said it was time for a change amid allegations of government corruption, nepotism and mismanagement.
Most of Botswana’s financial assets are held by a wealthy 10 percent of its people and the gap between rich and poor is one of the largest in the world, according to the World Bank.
Unemployment rose to 27 percent as the economy suffered from a slump in the market for diamonds, its main source of income.