Botswana general election, 1979

Botswana

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General elections were held in Botswana on 20 October 1979. The result was a fourth successive landslide victory for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which won 29 of the 32 elected seats,^[1] including two in which they were unopposed.^[2]

Campaign

A total of 69 candidates contested the election. The BDP was the only party to run a full slate of 32 candidates, with the Botswana National Front putting forward 16 candidates, the Botswana People's Party 14 and the Botswana Independence Party five. There were also two independents.^[2] The BDP campaigned on opposition to apartheid in South Africa and a call for economic sanctions against Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.^[3]

Prior to the elections, the voter roll was completely revamped. The revision was accompanied by a vigorous radio and press campaign by the government to encourage registration. Although the number of registered voters increased by only 6,635 compared to the 1974 elections, this was deemed to be due to the 1974 voter roll having numerous duplications.^[2]

Results

Party	Votes	%	Seats	+/–
Botswana Democratic Party	101,098	75.2	29	+2
Botswana National Front	17,480	13.0	2	0
Botswana People's Party	9,983	7.4	1	–1
Botswana Independence Party	5,627	4.2	0	–1
Independents	278	0.2	0	0
Indirectly elected members	–	–	4	–
Total	134,496	100	36	0
Registered voters/turnout	230,231	58.4	–	–
Source: EISA, Nohlen et al.

References

↑ Nohlen, D, Krennerich, M & Thibaut, B (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p113 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
1 2 3 Botswana: The October 1979 General Election EISA
↑ Botswana IPU

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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