‘We got it wrong big-time’

Change of guard sends ‘a clear message to other parties’.

- Brian Sokutu

BOTSWANA POLL: MASISI CONCEDES DEFEAT AS GOVERNING PARTY LOSES ITS MAJORITY.

With President Mokgweetsi Masisi yesterday conceding defeat, as preliminary election results showed his governing Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) lost its parliamentary majority after nearly six decades in power, political analysts say the poll outcome sent a clear message to other ruling parties in Africa - not to take people's interests for granted.

Masisi's concession came before the final results were announced, with the BDP trailing in fourth place - signalling an end to decades of power in the diamond-rich Southern African country, since 1966.

With the main opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) holding a strong lead in the partial results, UDC leader Duma Boko, was set to take over the reins from Masisi as president.

In marking a historic defeat by the UDC, Masisi said: "We got it wrong big-time in the eyes of the people. We were really convinced of our message.

"But every indication, by any measure, is that there is no way that I can pretend that we are going to form a government.