22 Sep 2019

Chief Justice, Terrence Rannowane has declared the leaders of Alliance for Progressives (AP), Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), Botswana Patriotic Front (BPF) and Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) as the presidential candidates for the 2019 general election.

Justice Rannowane made the official declaration, in his capacity as the Chief Justice and Returning Officer, following nomination for presidential candidates that took place at Gaborone  High Court on September 21.

The nomination of candidates for the Office of President took place on the first Saturday, in terms of the Presidential Elections (Supplementary Provisions) Act Cap.02:01, following the expiry of 20 days after President Masisi dissolved the National Assembly on August 28.

The four presidential candidates are Mr Ndaba Gaolathe of AP, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi of BDP, Mr Biggie Butale of BPF and Mr Duma Boko of UDC.

Justice Rannowane confirmed that the four political party leaders had been validly nominated as candidates for presidential election by reason of having been named in a nomination paper that complied with Section 5 of the Constitution.

“The four presidential candidates qualified to go through the nomination process, as they all had not less than 998 supporters duly qualified and registered as voters,” he added.

Section 5 of the Presidential Elections Act, Justice Rannowane said, states that every candidate must be nominated by a proposer and a seconder, who shall be regarded as supporters for the purposes of Section 32 of the Constitution, being persons who are registered as voters for the purposes of elections to the National Assembly.

In addition to the proposer and a seconder, he said Section 6 of the same Act also states that every candidate should be supported by not less than 998 supporters, being persons who are registered as voters for the purposes of elections to the National Assembly, making a total number 1 000.

All successful presidential candidates, Justice Rannowane said, would be listed in a General Declaration form and their names would be published in the Government Gazette early this week. Ends