Botswana citizens are waiting for the results of Wednesday’s election in which the incumbent President is seeking a second term.
Analysts believe that the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) could extend their 58-year rule if the final results are declared in their favour.
Earlier in the day, the main opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) leader, Duma Boko, voiced concerns about the exercise.
“We are worried about all these things because they speak to the integrity of the process and they tell you that we’re dealing with an IEC (Independent Electoral Commission) that is hellbent on ensuring that we do not have free, fair and credible elections, but we make do with what we have,” said Boko.
Ballot counting began as soon as polling closed at 17:00 GMT. But some voting stations stayed open long after the official closing time to allow voters queuing up to cast their ballots.
The election will determine the makeup of the diamond-rich southern African country’s parliament, and lawmakers will later choose the president.
The ruling party won 38 of 57 contested seats in the last election in 2019.
President Mokgweetsi Masisi, a 63-year-old former high school teacher, is seeking a second and final term.
A party needs to win at least 31 parliament seats to be declared as the winner.
