Bechuanaland general election, 1965

Botswana

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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 2 3 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
1 2 3 Botswana Election Results Election Passport

Elections and referendums in Botswana

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Referendums	1987 1997 2001

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