Botswana's President Khama wins new term

Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:28pm GMT

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By Serena Chaudhry

GABORONE (Reuters) - Botswana's President Ian Khama secured a new five-year term on Sunday, extending his rule over the world's largest diamond producer, after his governing BDP party swept to victory in a parliamentary election.

Chief Justice Julian Nganunu said Khama, son of the country's first president, would remain at the helm of the southern African nation, which is battling a recession and hit by internal party squabbling.

"I have the honour and privilege to declare Ian Khama Botswana's president as his party has garnered more than enough seats," Chief Justice Julian Nganunu said on state radio.

To select a president, the winning party needs to win 29 of the 57 parliamentary seats.

Khama's party extended its majority in parliament by capturing one more seat than before Saturday's election.

"We have just received all the results from all constituencies," Osupile Maroba, a spokesman for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), told Reuters by phone.

The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) -- in power since independence in 1966 -- won 45 of the 57 constituencies, while the main opposition party Botswana National Front won 6 constituencies and its splinter party the Botswana Congress Party captured 4, Maroba said.

One seat went to the Botswana Alliance Movement, and the final seat went to an independent candidate. Continued...

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<p>Botswana's President Seretse Khama Ian Khama looks on before the start of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit at the presidential guest house in Pretoria, January 26, 2009. Regional leaders will push Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and the opposition at a summit on Monday to implement a power-sharing deal and save the country from economic collapse. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (SOUTH AFRICA)</p>

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