Botswana Courts Dismiss Opposition Challenge to Election Result

Botswana courts rejected challenges by opposition parties to the results of voting in several constituencies in the nation’s October election.

High Court judges in Gaborone, the capital, and Francistown found insufficient evidence to overturn wins for the ruling Botswana Democratic Party. The Umbrella for Democratic Change coalition and the Botswana Patriotic Front had filed petitions against the results of 19 constituencies.

The BDP, led by President Mokgweetsi Masisi, extended its 53-year grip on power by winning 38 of the 57 regions contested. The challenge to the election result created uncertainty in what has been one of Africa’s most stable democracies -- it has never experienced civil war or a coup and has the continent’s highest credit rating at Moody’s Investors Service.

An investigation commissioned by the main opposition group alleged that thousands of voters were allowed to cast ballots twice in different constituencies and that election officials and voters were bribed.