1965 Bechuanaland general election

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]

1965 Bechuanaland general election
1 March 1965
31 of the 35 seats in the National Assembly
16 seats needed for a majority
Registered175,042
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Seretse Khama Philip Matante
Party BDP BPP
Seats won 28 3
Popular vote 113,167 19,964
Percentage 80.38% 14.18%
Results by constituency
Elected Prime Minister

Seretse Khama
BDP

Politics of Botswana
Constitution
Government
Parliament
Judiciary
Administrative divisions
Elections
Foreign relations

Campaign

The elections were contested by three main parties;[3] 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.[4] In the Lobatsi and Barolong constituency, there were two candidates from the Bechuanaland People's Party, one of which represented the Motsete branch.[4]

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.[4]

Results
PartyVotes%Seats
Bechuanaland Democratic Party113,16780.3828
Bechuanaland People's Party19,96414.183
Bechuanaland Independence Party6,4914.610
Bechuanaland People's Party (Motsete Branch)3770.270
Independents7890.560
Indirectly-elected members4
Total140,788100.0035
Registered voters/turnout175,042–
Source: Nohlen et al.

References
  1. Botswana: The 1965 Pre-Independence General Election EISA
  2. Dieter Nohlen, Michael Krennerich & Bernhard Thibaut (1999) Elections in Africa: A data handbook, p113 ISBN 0-19-829645-2
  3. 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
  4. Botswana Election Results Election Passport
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