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Botswana parliament dissolved ahead of October election

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The dissolution of government now gives the electoral body the authorization to organize and conduct the presidential vote within 60 days. [Photo courtesy: Botswana Parliament]
Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi has dissolved parliament as the country gears up for a presidential election in October.

President Masisi will be running for his first full mandate but will come up against an opposition boasting of his predecessor Ian Khama.

The incumbent succeeded Khama in 2018 after he resigned more than a year before the scheduled end of his term.

The dissolution of government now gives the electoral body the authorization to organize and conduct the presidential vote within 60 days.

Botswana’s constitution allows for a two-term presidential term limit.

In the October elections, voters will elect members of parliament, who will then proceed to choose a president.

President Masisi was picked in April as the candidate of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has ruled since independence.

A fallout between the incumbent and his predecessor is expected to play a part in the October elections.

While BDB is confident of an easy win, the opposition says it is ready to end the streak.

(Additional information from BBC)

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