Botswana utilizes the single-member plurality system to elect the National Assembly. Additionally, 4 MPs are nominated by the president and elected by the other MPs. Other officials, such as the Attorney General, can serve as ex officio MPs. The following table shows the number of seats in each Parliament:
Though Botswana has used the same basic electoral system, the expansion in the size of Parliament results in the definition of multiple electoral systems:
Botswana 1 (1965-89)
35-38 seats
1969 Report on the General Elections (Selected Parts)
1972 Report of the Delimitation Commission
1974 Report to the Minister of State on the General Elections (Selected Parts)
1992 Report of the Delimitation Commission
Additional Maps from the 1992 Report of the Delimitation Commission
Botswana 2 (1994-9)
44 seats
Botswana 3 (2004-)
61 seats
Below are copies of selected reports from the Delimitation Commission as well as maps of Botswana constituencies from various sources:
Botswana Constituencies 1965-9 (31)
Source: W.J.A. Macartney, “The General Election of 1969,” Botswana Notes and Records 3(1971), 32-6.
Botswana Constituencies 1974-9 (32)
Source: James H. Polhemus, “Botswana Votes: Parties and Elections in an African Democracy,” The Journal of Modern African Studies 21: 3(September 1983), 397-430.
Botswana Constituencies 1984-9 (34)
Source: Roger Charlton, “The Politics of Elections in Botswana,” African Journal of International Affairs 63: 3(1993), 330-70.
Botswana Constituencies 1994-99 (40)
1. North East, 2. Sebina Gweta, 3. Maun-Chobe, 4. Boteti, 5. Serowe North, 6. Serowe South, 7. South East, 8. Ghanzi, 9. Lethakeng, 10. Mahalapye, 11. Francistown East, 12. Negami, 13. Ngwaketse West, 14. Barolong, 15. Palapye, 16. Tswapong South, 17. Tswapong North, 18. Mmadinare, 19. Gaborone West, 20. Gaborone Central, 21. Gaborone North, 22. Gaborone South, 23. Francistown West, 24. Kgatleng East, 25. Kgatleng West, 26. Lobatse., 27. Selebi-Phikwe, 28. Nkange, 29. Tonota, 30. Bobirwa, 31. Shoshong, 32. Lentsweletau, 33. Kgalagadi, 34. Ngwaketse South, 35. Molepolole, 36. Mogoditshane, 37. Kanye, 38. Moshupa, 39. Thamaga, 40. Okavango.
Source: Stephen Rule, Electoral Territoriality in Southern Africa (Burlington, VT: Ashgate 2000), 52-4.
Botswana 2004-9 Constituencies (57)
2002 Delimitation Commission Report
2002 Delimitation Commission Report Map
Botswana 2014- Constituencies (57)
2012 Delimitation Commission Report
2012 Delimitation Commission Report Map