ACE Electoral Knowledge Network

News

• Oct 20, 2009: SADC observers arrive for Botswana elections, The Zimbabwean (2009) The Southern African Development Committee (SADC) Observer Mission for next Friday's Botswana elections has said it will monitor access to media by political parties.
• Oct 20, 2009: Ruling party win likely as Botswana set to vote, Daily Nation (2009) It is all systems go on Friday Africa’s oldest multiparty democracy, Botswana holds its 10th general elections since independence from Britain in 1966.
• Oct 20, 2009: Radio Station Ban Political Programs, Melodika (2009) The Chief Executive Officer of Gabzfm Radio Station has banned all political broadcast on the station. In an announcement on 24 August 2009, Kenneth Moeng said, “all political, politically motivated discussions, commentary or opinions,” are banned from being broadcast on the radio station.
• Oct 20, 2009: Election 2009 - Averting another ‘Tshiamo’ or electoral coup, Sundaystandard (2009) The much celebrated ‘Tshiamo ballot box’ squirted out of the bunch that lay carelessly at the Office of the President after election day in 1984 where Festus Mogae, then Permanent Secretary to the president and supervisor of elections, had learnt that Kenneth Koma’s counting offices had applied for a recount.
• Oct 20, 2009: BDP heavyweights toppled by bulela ditswe in Francistown, Sundaystandard (2009) A number of Botswana Democratic Party political heavyweights in Francistown have fallen prey to the party’s stormy bulela ditswe primary elections, and will not feature in the October general elections.
• Oct 20, 2009: President suspends rival, exposing rift, MG (2009) Botswana's president has moved against a rival in his party, exposing an internal split with only months to go before elections.
• Oct 18, 2009: Botswana: International IDEA to audit of the Botswana 2009 elections, International IDEA (2009) International IDEA and the Electoral Reform International Services (ERIS) will undertake an audit of the Botswana elections scheduled for 16 October 2009.
• Oct 18, 2009: Botswana: BCP Candidate May Challenge Results, AEP (2009) The Botswana Congress Party in the South East South constituency is scheduled to meet on Sunday afternoon to decide whether or not to challenge the results of the Friday poll in the area.
• Oct 18, 2009: Botswana: Khama To Give A BDP Victory Speech, AEP (2009) President Ian Khama is to give his victory speech at a Botswana Democratic Party [BDP] rally at Old Naledi in the Gaborone South constituency on Sunday afternoon.
• Oct 17, 2009: Botswana: Presidential visits bear fruit, BOPA (2009) Presidential visits around the country have borne positive results. Speaking during a BDP rally in Tutume on Friday, President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama said it is his duty as the President to go around the country and see how people live, as well as to get their views in order to make relevant decisions.
• Oct 16, 2009: Botswama: Two to observe Botswana election, Swazi Observer (2009) Two elections observers will attend the upcoming elections in Botswana which will be held later this month.
• Oct 16, 2009: Botswana: The Youth Eager to Vote, Mmegi (2009) Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has been described as the number one enemy of Batswana because it denied them employment opportunities.
• Oct 16, 2009: Botswana: BDP Batswanas enemy Bantsi, BOPA (2009) Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has been described as the number one enemy of Batswana because it denied them employment opportunities.
• Oct 16, 2009: Botswana: Venson-Moitoi re-affirms ministry commitment, BOPA (2009) The Minister of Communications, Science and Technology (MCST), Ms Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi has reaffirmed Botswana Television (Btv) and Radio Botswanas commitment to upholding the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters during elections.
• Oct 16, 2009: Botswana: BDP canvass for support in Gaborone North, BOPA (2009) The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) leader, Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has challenged the nation to judge his administration on the basis of his capabilities and achievements for the time he has been in power.
• Oct 16, 2009: Botswana: BPP Candidate Encourages Young Politicians, Mmegi (2009) A Botswana Peoples Party (BPP) candidate in Francistown, Clifford Othusitse, has urged all youthful contestants in the general elections not to be daunted by their lack of resources.
• Jul 27, 2009: Is BNF favouring ex-BCP men?, Mmegi (2009) Whether by coincidence or design, the Botswana National Front (BNF) has taken disciplinary action against all its candidates who beat former key Botswana Congress Party (BCP) activists in the primary elections.
• Jul 27, 2009: Best Nation Has Only Four Women in Parliament, AllAfrica (2009) Botswana, often cited as Africa's political and economic success story, is preparing for general elections in October, but gender activists are worried about the lack of female parliamentary candidates.
• Jul 09, 2009: Politics gets murkier in Mmaphashalala, Mmegi (2009) The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) councillor for Mmaphashalala/Dovedale Ward Neo Magowe is upset with an Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) officer who has made fraud allegations against him.Magowe told Mmegi by telephone from Mahalapye yesterday that the IEC officer, Moitse Sefedile, was trying to tarnish his name by saying that he (Magowe) was responsible for the inappropriate registration of voters last week.
• May 22, 2008: Goya Wins, Mmegi (2008) Moiseraele 'Master' Goya has shattered Professor Sheila Tlou's dream of representing Palapye in Parliament.
• May 22, 2008: BCP off to sluggish campaign in Palapye, Mmegi (2008) BCP is off to a shaky start in the preparations for by-election.
• May 22, 2008: Registration Closes But You Can Still Register, All Africa (2007) Elections registration period has ended.
• May 22, 2008: Politicians, Wake Up And Smell the Coffee, All Africa (2007) The IEC struggles to get the Batswana out to registration stations.
• May 22, 2008: BNF to take power in 2009 - Mohwasa, Mmegi (2007) Botswana National Front is confident to win the 2009 general elections.
• May 22, 2008: BNYC Launches Political Campaign, All Africa (2007) The BNYC in concert with the FEF is to embark on political empowerment workshops for youths intending to contest the 2009 general elections.
• May 22, 2008: BDP Overwhelms Opposition, Mmegi (2007) BDP comprehensively defeated the opposition to retain the Mogapinyana council in a by-election on Saturday.
• May 22, 2008: BNF, BCP dismiss BDP election threats, Mmegi (2007) The BNF and the BCP have dismissed the ruling BDP campaign to snatch opposition held constituencies.
• May 22, 2008: BCP, BAM sign accord, Mmegi (2007) Botswana Congress Party (BCP) and Botswana Alliance Movement (BAM) signed a coalition pact agreement for the 2009 National Assembly election.
• May 22, 2008: BPP icons opt for other opposition parties, Mmegi (2007) Ex-BPP vice president and ex-national organising secretary joined BNF.