Bechuanaland general election, 1965
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General elections were held in the Bechuanaland Protectorate on 1 March 1965, the country's first election under universal suffrage.[1] The result was a landslide victory for the Bechuanaland Democratic Party,[2] with Seretse Khama becoming Prime Minister. Following the elections, the country became independent as Botswana on 30 September 1966, at which point Khama became President.[1] Voter turnout was 74.55% of the 188,950 registered voters.[3]
Campaign
The elections were contested by three main parties;[4] the Bechuanaland Democratic Party led by Khama, the Bechuanaland People's Party led by Philip Matante and the Bechuanaland Independence Party led by Motsamai Mpho. There was also a single independent candidate, G.E.N. Mannathoko, who ran in Tati West.[5] In the Lobatsi and Barolong constituency, there were two candidates from the Bechuanaland People's Party, one of which represented the Motsete branch.[5]
Despite acceptance that the BDP was likely to win easily, there was widespread interest in the elections. The BDP was seen as a moderate party with responsible leaders and realistic policies; in contrast the leaders of the other parties were perceived to be quarrelsome and overly ethnocentric.[1] Three BDP candidates were elected unopposed in Ghanzi, Kgalagadi and Kweneng West.[5]
Results
| Party | Votes | % | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bechuanaland Democratic Party | 113,167 | 80.4 | 28 |
| Bechuanaland People's Party | 19,964 | 14.2 | 3 |
| Bechuanaland Independence Party | 6,491 | 4.6 | 0 |
| Bechuanaland People's Party (Motsete Branch) | 377 | 0.3 | 0 |
| Independents | 789 | 0.6 | 0 |
| Total | 140,788 | 100 | 31 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 188,950 | 74.5 | – |
| Source: Nohlen et al. | |||
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Botswana: The 1965 Pre-Independence General Election EISA
- ↑ Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p113 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
- ↑ Botswana: 1965 National Assembly results EISA
- ↑ Gossett, CW, and Lotshwao, K., 2009, Report on the 1965 General Election and the 1966 Local Government Election, Botswana Notes & Records, Vol. 41, pp.47-63
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Botswana Election Results Election Passport
