Botswana polls test reputation

BOTSWANA’S reputation as a symbol of stability on a volatile continent is to be put to the test today as the southern African country holds what looks likely to be disputed general elections.

The polls, which also pose the biggest challenge to the governing Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) stranglehold on power since independence from Britain in 1966, is a culmination of infighting within the governing party.

This has seen strained relations between its president and his successor, as well tensions with the main opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC).

The incumbent, Mokgweetsi Masisi, has been involved in a very public spat with his predecessor, Seretse Khama Ian Khama, with the fractured relations leading to the latter quitting the party, jointly formed by his father and founding president Sir Seretse Khama.

The younger Khama, who handpicked Masisi as his successor when he came to power last year, has infamously thrown his weight behind the opposition coalition and is the patron of the newly formed Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF).

The BPF is seen as an offshoot of the governing party formed by members siding with Khama and against Masisi, emerging the winner of intra-party elections to choose the BDP’s flag-bearer in today’s polls.

Masisi retained the leadership of the party earlier this year after his closest challenger Pelonomi VensonMoitoi, whom he fired as foreign affairs minister, pulled out citing vote-rigging and intimidation.

Over 900 000 Batswana are set to cast their votes, up from over 824 000 who voted in the 2014 polls. Analysts have projected the ructions to further decimate the BDP’s share of the votes.

The Independent Electoral Commission has pledged free and fair polls.