Gaborone (Botswana):  There are reports of a big upset in Botswana elections. The party that was in power for 58 years has lost the elections. People have voted for change in this country this time. Botswana's President Mogwetsi Masisi has accepted his defeat after this setback in the general elections on Friday. With this, the 58-year-old rule of the ruling party, which was in power since independence from Britain in 1966, ended.

Let us tell you that Masisi accepted his defeat even before the final results were announced. According to the initial results, his 'Botswana Democratic Party' (BDP) is in fourth place in the parliamentary elections. The main opposition party 'Umbrella for Democratic Change' gained a strong lead in the initial results, making Duma Boko the favorite candidate to become the President of the southern African country Botswana.

Masisi called Boko

President Masisi said he had called Boko to inform him that he was accepting defeat. He said Boko is now effectively the elected president. The final result is expected to be announced after Friday, but there is no way the BDP will get a majority. Masisi said in a press conference on Friday morning, two days after the vote, "I accept defeat in the election. I am proud of our democratic processes. I wanted a second term, but I will step down respectfully and participate in the smooth process of transition of power." Masisi said, "I am looking forward to attending the upcoming swearing-in ceremony and cheering my successor. I will support him."

Population of only 25 lakhs 

Let us tell you that this country with a population of only 25 lakh will now be ruled by another party for the first time in democratic history. According to the initial calculations, so far the 'Umbrella for Democratic Change' has won 25 out of 61 parliamentary seats. It needs 31 seats to get a majority. The 'Botswana Congress Party' has seven seats, the 'Botswana Patriotic Front' has five seats and the ruling BDP has only three seats. Masisi (63) said, "We have lost this election badly."