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Kizito Sikuka in GABORONE, Botswana

Polling for the 2019 general elections in Botswana began yesterday with thousands of Batswana lining up to cast their ballots.

A total of 1 273 880 people were registered to vote, according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of Botswana. Botswana has a population of about 2,2 million.

Local, regional and international organisations are observing the elections, including the 55-member SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) headed by Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo.

Botswana has set a three-day holiday, starting yesterday until tomorrow to ensure all citizens are able to exercise their civic and political rights to vote, and have time to appreciate the results.

The country uses a single constituency electoral system of “first-past-the-post” for the election of Members of Parliament.

Elected MPs then act as an electoral college to choose the President. — Sardc.net.