The 13th Parliament of Botswana refers to the legislative term of the National Assembly that commenced following the general election held in October 2024. It is the thirteenth such parliament since Botswana attained independence in 1966.
Constitutional and Institutional Context
- Legislative Structure: Botswana has a unicameral Parliament consisting of the National Assembly and the House of Chiefs (Ntlo ya Dikgosi). The National Assembly is the primary legislative body.
- Composition of the National Assembly: The Assembly is made up of 57 members elected from single‑member constituencies by first‑past‑the‑post voting, together with additional members: up to four appointed by the President and the President‑designate (the elected President) as an ex‑officio member. The total number of voting members therefore ranges from 61 to 65.
- Term Length: Members of the National Assembly serve for a maximum of five years, after which a general election is called. The 13th Parliament therefore covers the period from late 2024 to 2029, unless dissolved earlier.
2024 General Election Overview
- Election Date: The most recent general election was conducted on 23 October 2024.
- Electoral System: All 57 constituency seats were contested using the first‑past‑the‑post system; the President is elected indirectly by the members of the National Assembly.
- Major Parties: The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), and other smaller parties contested the election. The BDP remained the largest party, thereby forming the government and providing the President.
Leadership and Key Offices (as of the opening of the 13th Parliament)
- President: Mokgweetsi Masisi (BDP) – re‑elected following the 2024 election.
- Speaker of the National Assembly: The Speaker is elected by the members of the Assembly at the start of the parliamentary term. (The name of the individual holding the office at the commencement of the 13th Parliament is recorded in official parliamentary records.)
- Deputy Speaker: Likewise elected by the Assembly members at the outset of the term.
- Leader of the Opposition: The leader of the largest non‑governing party in the Assembly (typically the UDC) assumes this role.
Legislative Activity
- The 13th Parliament is responsible for enacting statutes, approving the national budget, and providing oversight of the executive branch. Sessions are held in the Parliament House in Gaborone, with the schedule set annually by the Speaker.
- Committees (standing, select, and ad hoc) operate to examine specific policy areas, bills, and matters of public interest. Their membership reflects the party composition of the Assembly.
Historical Position
- The numbering of Botswana’s parliaments began with the first Parliament elected in 1965 (prior to independence). Each subsequent parliamentary term increments the count, making the 2024‑2029 term the thirteenth iteration.
References
- Constitution of the Republic of Botswana (1992, as amended).
- Official results of the 2024 General Election, Independent Electoral Commission of Botswana.
- Parliament of Botswana website – “Members of the National Assembly” and “Parliamentary History” sections.
All information presented is drawn from publicly available parliamentary and electoral records. No speculative or unverified details are included.
