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

General elections	1921 1924 1927 1930 1933 1936 1939 1942 1945 1948 1951 1954 1957 1961 1965 1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009 2014

Local elections	1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004 2009

Referendums	1987 1997 2001

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